Tofu chilli men

DETAILS

• Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

• 250g firm tofu, cut into 2.5cm cubes
• 150ml vegetable oil (for frying the tofu)
• 150g soba noodles
• 30ml vegetable oil
• 1 carrot, cut into 1cm cubes
• ½ courgette, cut into 2.5cm thick cubes
• 1 small red onion, sliced into 3mm slices
• 4 spring onions, cut into 2.5cm pieces
• 60g mangetout, sliced
• 500ml chilli men sauce (see below)
• medium tomato, cut into 8 pieces

METHOD

1. Heat the oil in a frying pan and once hot, fry the tofu cubes until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to another plate lined with kitchen paper to drain any excess oil.
2. Cook the soba noodles according to the packet instructions. Divide between two serving bowls, keeping the noodles to one side.
3. Place a wok pan on a medium heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the carrots, courgettes, onion, spring onion and mangetout and toss, then reduce the heat and add the tofu.
4. Add the chilli men sauce, then turn the heat down. Add the tomato and cook until the sauce simmers. Remove from the heat.
5. Add the tofu, vegetables and sauce to the opposite side of the bowl to the noodles.

Chilli Men sauce

INGREDIENTS

• 2 medium red onions
• 4 garlic cloves
• 4cm (20g) piece ginger
• 6 medium red peppers
• 20g birds eye chillies
• 25g lemongrass
• 125ml vegetable oil
• 60g sriracha sauce
• 125g tomato ketchup
• 10ml (2 teaspoons) chilli oil
• 15g sugar
• 2 large pinches salt
• pepper, to taste

METHOD

1. Roughly chop the vegetables. Smash the lemongrass with the back of a knife and chop. Place these in a food processor and blend into a paste.
2. Place a thick-bottomed pan on a low heat and add the oil. Once hot, add the paste and cook on a low heat for 15 minutes. Now add the sriracha, tomato ketchup, chilli oil and 125ml (4fl oz) water and mix. Cook for another 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will see oil appearing on the sides of the pan. Add the sugar and salt, and season to taste with pepper. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Recipe adapted from Wagamama Your Way by Steven Mangleshot (Kyle Books, £20).