Savory Grilled Tofu with Sesame Noodles
Transform your weeknight dinners with this delectable Savory Grilled Tofu with Sesame Noodles recipe! Adapted from my mom’s trusted collection—and inspired by the original Family Circle recipe—this dish brings together a harmonious blend of earthy flavors and vibrant vegetables. Fresh lime juice and teriyaki sauce create a tangy marinade that infuses the tofu with mouthwatering goodness. The crispy grilled tofu pairs beautifully with a colorful medley of fettuccine, snow peas, bell pepper, and onion, all coated in a rich, thickened sauce. Perfect for a crowd, this dish is not only satisfying but also offers a healthy plant-based option for any meal. Enjoy it with your loved ones or as a nutritious meal prep for the week!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
Teriyaki sauce
1/3 cup (Bottled, ready to use)
Rice vinegar
2 tablespoons (Bottled, ready to use)
Fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons (Squeezed from fresh limes)
Ground ginger
1 teaspoon (Dried spice)
Splenda sugar substitute
1/2 teaspoon (Ready to use)
Red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (Dried spice)
Garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon (Dried spice)
Extra firm tofu
14 ounces (Drained and pressed)
Oil
2 teaspoons (For grilling, choose your preferred type)
Fettuccine
12 ounces (Dried pasta)
Snow peas
8 ounces (Strings removed and rinsed)
Red pepper
1 (Cored, seeded, and thinly sliced)
Onion
1 medium (Halved and cut into half moons)
Vegetable broth
1/2 cup (Ready to use)
Cornstarch
2 teaspoons (For thickening)
Sesame seeds
1 teaspoon (Toasted)
Instructions
1
In a small bowl, whisk together the teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, ground ginger, Splenda, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder until well combined.
2
Carefully drain the tofu by opening the package and pressing it to remove excess liquid. Then slice the tofu diagonally in half to create two triangular pieces.
3
Position the triangles with the flat side facing down, then cut each triangle into three 1/2-inch thick slices to yield six triangular tofu slices.
4
Place the sliced tofu on a paper towel-lined tray, cover with additional paper towels, and press a sheet pan on top to evenly weigh it down. Let the tofu stand for 10 minutes to remove any excess moisture, then replace the paper towels and repeat the process.
5
Transfer the squeezed tofu slices to a shallow glass dish and pour the marinade over them. Allow the tofu to marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes, flipping the slices after 15 minutes to ensure even flavor absorption.
6
In a small saucepan, strain the marinade to remove any solids. Set the marinade aside for later use.
7
Bring a large pot of water to a rapid boil. Heat a ridged grill pan over medium-high heat and brush it with 2 teaspoons of oil.
8
Cook the fettuccine according to the package instructions, adding the snow peas, thinly sliced red pepper, and halved onion during the last 4 minutes of cooking.
9
Grill the marinated tofu slices for about 2 minutes on each side, or until they are nicely marked and heated through.
10
In the saucepan, add the vegetable broth and cornstarch to the drained marinade and bring to a boil. Stir continuously and let it boil for 2 minutes until thickened.
11
Once the fettuccine and vegetables are cooked, drain them well. Toss the noodles and vegetables in the thickened marinade and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.
12
Serve the sesame noodles topped with the grilled tofu slices for a delightful and healthy meal.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary protein source in Savory Grilled Tofu with Sesame Noodles?
The primary protein source in this recipe is 14 ounces of extra firm tofu, which is drained, pressed, and grilled.
How should I prepare the tofu for this recipe?
Open the package, drain the liquid, slice the tofu diagonally in half into two triangles, and then cut each triangle into three 1/2-inch thick slices for a total of six triangular pieces.
Why do I need to press the tofu?
Pressing the tofu removes excess moisture, which helps it absorb the marinade better and achieve a crispier texture when grilled.
How long should the tofu be pressed?
The tofu should be pressed twice for 10 minutes each time using paper towels and a weighted sheet pan.
What ingredients make up the marinade?
The marinade consists of teriyaki sauce, rice vinegar, fresh lime juice, ground ginger, Splenda, red pepper flakes, and garlic powder.
How long does the tofu need to marinate?
The tofu should marinate at room temperature for a total of 30 minutes, turning the slices over at the 15-minute mark.
What type of noodles are used in this dish?
The recipe calls for 12 ounces of dried fettuccine noodles.
Which vegetables are included in the sesame noodles?
The dish includes snow peas, a thinly sliced red bell pepper, and a medium onion cut into half moons.
How are the vegetables cooked?
The vegetables are added directly to the pot of boiling water with the fettuccine during the last 4 minutes of the pasta's cooking time.
How do you cook the marinated tofu?
The tofu is cooked on a ridged grill pan brushed with oil over medium-high heat for approximately 2 minutes per side.
What is the process for making the noodle sauce?
Combine the strained marinade with vegetable broth and cornstarch in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and stir for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens.
Is this recipe considered vegetarian or vegan?
This is a plant-based, vegetarian recipe. To ensure it is fully vegan, verify that your specific brand of teriyaki sauce and sugar substitute does not contain animal-derived ingredients.
What is the purpose of the cornstarch?
Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent to turn the marinade and broth mixture into a rich sauce for the noodles.
How do you prepare the snow peas?
The snow peas should have their strings removed and be rinsed before being added to the boiling water.
Can I use real sugar instead of Splenda?
Yes, you can substitute the Splenda sugar substitute with an equivalent amount of regular sugar if desired.
How should the onion be sliced?
The onion should be halved and then cut into thin half-moon shapes.
What garnish is used to finish the dish?
The dish is finished with a sprinkle of toasted sesame seeds.
What equipment is needed for grilling the tofu?
A ridged grill pan is recommended to achieve the characteristic grill marks and texture.
What type of ginger is used in the marinade?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of ground dried ginger.
Do I need to boil the marinade before using it as a sauce?
Yes, for food safety and to thicken the sauce, you must boil the marinade mixture for 2 minutes.
Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it is described as a nutritious option for weekly meal prep.
How many triangular slices of tofu does the recipe yield?
The recipe yields six triangular tofu slices from one 14-ounce block.
What kind of broth is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of vegetable broth.
Does the marinade contain any heat?
Yes, the marinade contains 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a bit of spice.
What is the inspiration behind this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by a Family Circle recipe and adapted from the author's mother's collection.
How much oil is needed for grilling?
Only 2 teaspoons of oil are used to brush the grill pan.
Can I use fresh ginger instead of ground ginger?
While the recipe calls for dried ground ginger, fresh grated ginger could be used as a substitute for a more pungent flavor.
Should the red pepper be peeled?
No, the red pepper should be cored, seeded, and thinly sliced, but not peeled.
What temperature should the tofu be marinated at?
The tofu should be marinated at room temperature.
How do you combine the final components of the dish?
Toss the drained noodles and vegetables in the thickened sauce, then top with the grilled tofu and sesame seeds.