Soba Noodles Tofu Vegetable Stir Fry

Visible from my past posts,I'm experimenting a lot with Tofu these days in other words I'm going tofu crazy.This time I was thinking tofu with noodles.Every once in a while I crave for Chinese-style noodles with tons of crunchy vegetables,sprouts and piquant sauces.So in my quest for a recipe with tofu and crave for noodles,I stumbled upon this palatable Korean Noodle Fry from Susan's Fat Free vegan Kitchen ,the blog also happens to be Tried and tasted pick of the month,the host is Vaishali of Holy cow!.

With protein rich Soba noodles ,added protein from tofu and loads of vitamins from the veggies,this dish was truly sinlessly delicious.I marinated the tofu ,to soak up its blandness with flavor.This also the first time I used Soba\buckwheat noodles it has very mild flavor almost like wheat.

Stir-Fry
Stir fry is technique of quick cooking the vegetable on high heat to retain it crisp texture and flavor.Using a stir fry mix can save lot of time with chopping besides all the variety of vegetables.A wok is typically used for stir frying but a deep pan should also work.And Olive oil which I usually use for my cooking doesn't work for this recipe due to high heat cooking, use a high smoking point oil like peanut, safflower, corn, or canola.

Recipe
Ingredients
6 ounces buckwheat Soba Noodles(about 2 bundles)
4 ounces Extra firm tofu, cut into bite-sized cubes
2 cups bok-choy(or cabbage),chopped
3 cups vegetables(I used stir-fry mix including mushrooms,peppers,zucchini,carrots,broccoli,baby corn,snap peas and chestnuts)
1 cup Sprouts(mung,alfa-alfa or any kind)
1 big clove garlic,finely chopped or minced
2 tablespoon soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons gochujang(or use any East Asian hot chili sauce)
1/4 teaspoon turmeric(optional)
1 tablespoon Peanut oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

Method
Marinate Tofu
For a flavorful tofu marinate it in 1/2 each teaspoon of hot sauce and soy sauce,pinch of salt and turmeric for about an hour.
Cook the Noodles
Boil water in a big pot of salted water ,cook the noodles as per the package instructions and drain.
Cook the Vegetables and Tofu Separately
In meantime heat a wok or a deep pan with teaspoon of oil on medium heat add the marinate pieces of tofu,let cook for 4-5 minutes,turn once and set aside.Add another teaspoon of oil turn the heat to medium-high add the garlic and vegetables ,stir often and cook for few minutes until most of the water is cooked about 7-8 minutes,add the hot sauce and soy sauce ,stir and cook another minute or two.

Toss Up
When the vegetables are done,mix in the cooked noodles then lastly mix in the tofu and sprouts.Serve warm with a drizzle of mild hot chili sauce if desired.

Gingered Egg Plant and Snap Peas Pasta.

Eggplant chutney adds a spicy kick to this colorful concoction prepared using fresh snap peas and your favorite kind of pasta.
Ingredients Needed
1 lb Whole Grain fussilli or penne pasta
1/2 cup of Egg plant chutney
3/4 lb of Sugar snap peas or snow peas
1/4 cup peas.
1 teaspoon freshly minced ginger.
1 tablespoon chopped Basil.
2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon sea salt

Method
Fill a large pot three-quaters full of water and bring to a boil. Put the peas in the boiling water and simmer for a minute. Remove the peas using strainer or spoon and rinse under cold water and set aside.
Add pasta to the boiling water and cook until al-dente(with a bite to it),8-10 minutes.Drain thoroughly.
In a large bowl whisk together olive oil,chopped basil,minced Ginger and the egg plant chutney. Stir in peas and pasta. Toss gently to combine and coat the pasta evenly with the dressing and serve.

I'm submitting this recipe to Weekend Wokking, a world-wide food blogging event created by Wandering Chopsticks celebrating the multiple ways we can cook one ingredient. This month's secret ingredient is the EGGPLANT
The host this month is Marija of Palachinka.

Sprouts and Snap Peas Salad

A crunchy Salad with bread is my idea of quick ,healthy and light lunch.


Ingredients Needed are
1 cup Mung Bean Sprouts(see how to grow sprouts)
8-10 Snap Peas
1/4 cup Carrots grated
4-6 cherry tomatoes cut in halves
2 tablespoon Lemon Juice
1 tablespoon chopped basil or cilantro
2 tablespoon Olive oil
Salt and Pepper as per taste.

To make the Salad
Using a Colander rinse the sprouts in cold water and drain all water.
Bring 2 cups of water to boil and drop the snap peas and cook for about 3 minutes until tender. drain all water and set aside.
Prepare the dressing by whisking together oil ,lemon juice,chopped basil, salt and pepper.
Transfer all the veggies and sprouts in a big salad bowl and toss them with the dressing. Serve with bread or stuff in sandwiches.
The Salad is my entry for Archana's One D Salads

This healthy salad is also my entry for EC's WYF: Soups,Starters and Salads

Mung Sprouts Nutrition Facts
Mung sprouts are low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Thiamin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Pantothenic Acid, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Folate, Copper and Manganese.