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YOU ARE HERE: HOME » Kids Lunchbox Ideas » Tofu Garlic Noodles

July 7, 2008

Tofu Garlic Noodles

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Today I have for you my very own recipe of Tofu Garlic Noodles – what I like to call one of my ‘no-recipe recipes’. These are a class of recipes that I often come up with at the spur of the moment – they have no reason, no inspiration. Just a bunch of ingredients thrown together in the hopes of creating something edible.

Recipe for Garlic Tofu Noodles taken from www.hookedonheat.com. Visit site for detailed recipe.

While a few of such of my creations have turned out perfect to go into the trash, many of them have become a family favourite over the years and continue to make their appearances on my dinner table. Most of them are throw-it-all-into-one-pot-and-hope-for-the-best kinda meals, while others are quick assembly ones. But they each have one thing in common: a few starving mouths waiting to be fed.


I remember this one time when I tried cooking spaghetti with some leftover meatball curry – spaghetti bolognese a la Indian, which did not work out much to our liking. Neither is combining paneer with green curry paste in hopes of creating a Thai-Indo fusion fried rice such a great idea. But I digress, a ravenous tummy = brains cells on holiday! But sometimes, the lack of time, energy and a frighteningly increasing hunger can create the most delicious meal.

Take today for example – I woke up with a strong will to bake. And bake I did! A bunch of sorry looking carrots found its way into my baking pan and turned into the most deliciously moist treat, a perfect pairing for my evening cup of coffee (but that’s a recipe for another day!). Then I slowly crossed off things on my to-do list one after the other. I was on a roll and nothing was going to stop me. Except, of course, my screaming stomach who knows nothing about keeping its cool when hungry.

A quick glance at the clock confirmed that I was past my regular lunchtime, and I had to act fast! So I did what I could – picked a bunched of that, chopped a few of those, boiled a pot of this, and stir-fried them all together. And might I add, as hideously simple as it sounds – it was a great meal. Or maybe that’s just my tummy talking!

Recipe for Garlic Tofu Noodles taken from www.hookedonheat.com. Visit site for detailed recipe.
Print Recipe

Tofu Garlic Noodles

Prep Time10 mins
Cook Time20 mins
Total Time30 mins
Servings: 4
Author: Meena, www.hookedonheat.com

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp light cooking oil
  • 1 large onion, finely sliced
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped garlic
  • 1 cup diced extra-firm tofu
  • 1 cup finely shredded cabbage
  • 1 tbsp Sambal Olek (chilli paste)
  • 3 cups boiled egg noodles
  • 2 tbsp light soya sauce
  • salt, to taste

Instructions

  • Heat oil in a deep non-stick wok and saute onions and garlic, till lightly browned and fragrant. Add in tofu and fry for a few minutes till crisp around the edges. By this time, the onions and garlic should be caramelized and very fragrant.
  • Add in the shredded cabbage and Sambal Olek, and stir-fry for a few minutes to combine well. Stir in noodles, sprinkle soya sauce, and stir fry to coat noodles well with the sauce and veggies. Season with salt and serve warm.

If you like this recipe, then you will surely like my Curry Noodle Bowl.

Tried this recipe? Leave a Comment and let me know, also Rate it by clicking the number of stars on the recipe card. Want to share your version with me? Tag me on Instagram @hookedonheat

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Filed Under: 30-Minutes or Less!, Kids Lunchbox Ideas, Popular Recipes, Recipes: Vegan, Recipes: Vegetarian

Previous Post: « Chana Dal Masala
Next Post: Mediterranean Kebabs »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    May 28, 2020 at

    5 stars
    Just wanted to say thank you! I made this recently and my kids loved it – they’ve been begging me to make it again soon!

    Reply
  2. Andi says

    October 11, 2014 at

    5 stars
    Looks delicious – I love noodles any way!

    Reply
  3. Bree says

    October 10, 2014 at

    5 stars
    I just found your blog and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!! These noodles sound so good and easy, and your pictures are gorgeous, can’t wait to give them a try!

    Reply
  4. Kay @ The GO Mamas says

    October 10, 2014 at

    5 stars
    This is the type of meal I really enjoy. I am doing no grains right now, so I will try this recipe with some spiralized veggie noodles.

    Reply
  5. Jennifer Sikora says

    July 5, 2014 at

    5 stars
    That looks really delicious!

    Reply
  6. Wendy says

    July 4, 2014 at

    5 stars
    Yum! Plenty of garlic and tofu make a delicious noodle dish! This is so quick and easy it would be great as dinner on a busy week night!

    Reply
  7. Payal says

    October 28, 2012 at

    5 stars
    Can Sambal Olek be substituted with the Sriracha sauce?

    Reply
    • Meena says

      October 29, 2012 at

      Yes, of course!

      Reply
  8. elaine says

    November 17, 2010 at

    5 stars
    thought you could help me out with this — where would i be able to find sambal olek? do asian stores in the US stock this?

    Reply
    • Meena says

      November 19, 2012 at

      You should be able to find it in most regular grocery stores as well, Elaine. It’s pretty easily available nowadays.

      Reply
  9. Catherine says

    August 28, 2010 at

    Is sambal olek easily find in the market?

    Reply
  10. indra says

    June 4, 2010 at

    5 stars
    very simple and easy recipe and your blog looks great

    Reply
  11. mahek says

    October 12, 2009 at

    5 stars
    hi
    I am going to try this recipe for sure!!! Thank you for this wonderful dish…

    Reply
  12. Archana says

    September 15, 2008 at

    5 stars
    I love your blog, which I found recently. All your recipes are so easy, especially for beginners like me 🙂

    Reply
  13. [eatingclub] vancouver || js says

    July 30, 2008 at

    5 stars
    These noodles look so good! Garlicky noodles are the best.

    Reply
  14. Bart says

    July 25, 2008 at

    5 stars
    I made these last night. Went overboard on the garlic and sambal. To my benefit. Added a dash of curry powder and a dash of black pepper. So delicious. Eating the leftovers right now as this recipe filled my whole wok.

    Reply
  15. Padma says

    July 22, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Those noodles are worth drooling. You take such nice pictures… I love coming back to you blog always…

    Reply
  16. Tworzenie says

    July 15, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Very, very good blog!

    Reply
  17. Christy says

    July 10, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Sounds wonderful! I am alway looking for something new to try with our tofu so thanks!

    Reply
  18. Sujatha says

    July 10, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Wow, I am drooling on your noodles! I like your term “No-recipe recipes” 🙂 Yes, many times a quick toss of simple things result in an utterly delicious treat..

    Reply
  19. Homecooked says

    July 9, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Wow…..looks amazing. Truly yummy!

    Reply
  20. Bhawana says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Hi Dear, today only I got 2 recipes from ur blog which I want to try. This is the third one :).

    Reply
  21. Mansi says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Looks great meena! these are my fav kind of noodles too, except that i add some scallions to it, and my hubby loves some bean sprouts on the top!:)

    Ooh… beansprouts! Now that would be a delicous addition!

    Reply
  22. Kate says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Finally a vegetarian dish that looks good! This recipe looks amazing. I’m going to try it this weekend!

    Reply
  23. arundathi says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    absolutely lovely! right up my alley -thanks!

    Reply
  24. Roma says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    The final dish and picture looks very professional.

    Reply
  25. JPT says

    July 8, 2008 at

    5 stars
    OOH! Can’t wait to try this one. May skip the cabbage though but sounds yummy!

    Reply
  26. Madhuram says

    July 7, 2008 at

    5 stars
    This is so simple to prepare and looks so good. I’m going to try this very soon. I think your web layout is also new, it looks very elegant.

    Reply
  27. Cassie says

    July 7, 2008 at

    5 stars
    Sounds delicious, Meena. The thought of sambal olek makes my mouth water, as does the thought of just about anything spicy. Can’t get enough of it! Your meal looks wonderful!

    Reply

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