Chinese Noodles with Spicy Szechuan Bean Curd

If you master this delicious stir-fry recipe of Asian noodles and spicy tofu, you'll be less inclined to reach for that Chinese take-out menu!

Chinese Noodles with Spicy Szechuan Bean Curd

Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb firm or extra-firm tofu
• 2 tbsp canola oil, divided
• 8 oz Chinese wheat noodles (or substitute udon noodles or linguine)
• 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced on a diagonal
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 1 (15 oz) can straw mushrooms, liquid reserved
•  8 oz can sliced water chestnuts, liquid reserved
• 2–3 scallions, cut into 1-inch lengths

Sauce

• ⅔ cup reserved liquid from canned mushrooms and water chestnuts
• 2 tbsp natural soy sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp cornstarch or arrowroot
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• Asian hot sauce, to taste

Instructions

1. Combine the ingredients for the sauce in a small mixing bowl and stir together. Set aside until needed.
2. Cut the tofu into ½-inch-thick slices. Blot between clean tea-towels or several layers of paper towel to remove excess moisture. Cut the tofu into ½-inch dice.
3. Heat half of the oil in a wok or stir-fry pan. Sauté the tofu dice over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until most sides are golden. Remove them to a plate until needed.
4. Cook the noodles in plenty of rapidly simmering water until al dente, then drain.
5. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in the wok or stir-fry pan. Add the carrots and stir-fry over medium-high heat until they begin to turn golden. Add the garlic and bell peppers and continue to stir-fry until they are just tender-crisp.
6. Add the straw mushrooms, water chestnuts, and scallions. Continue to stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes longer, or just until everything is well heated through. Stir in the sauce and bring to a simmer, then cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened.
7. Gently stir the tofu and cooked noodles into the wok or stir-fry pan and taste to correct the seasonings and spiciness. Serve at once.

• Here are more easy tofu recipes.
• Explore more recipes using Asian noodles.