Crispy Fried Sesame Tofu

Tofu is a go-to ingredient for me for lunch. I love making a few slices of crispy tofu with sesame seeds in the pan, and combine it with some delicious noodles and vegetables.

Your own little hole-in-the-wall lunch place.

This feels like it could be a nice lunch you could get from a small wok-place around the corner from your office, except the cost will be way less. Plus, it’s much more fun to make yourself!

Crispy Fried Sesame Tofu & Noodles

For 2 people

Time: Prep 10 mins | Cook time 10 mins

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• 1 small block of extra firm tofu

• 1/2 cup cornstarch

• 1-2 tbsp sesame seeds (white or black)

• 2 packets of instant noodles, or 2 portions of egg noodles

• 1 carrot or half a broccoli’s worth of florets (optional)

• 1 spring onion (optional)

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

Instructions

Rinse the tofu and dry it gently by patting it down with a paper towel. You don’t need it to get too dry, as you are about to dip it in cornstarch. Slice it up. Heat up a frying pan and cover it in a thin layer of sesame oil (if you don’t have this, a regular vegetable oil is fine too).

In a small bowl, put the cornstarch. Dip each slice of tofu in it and try to cover it on both sides. If you’ve dried the tofu a bit too much you can put a bit of oil on them with your finger to get more cornstarch to stick. Put each slice in the pan when the oil is hot, and drizzle over a generous amount of sesame seeds. Then turn the tofu slices over and drizzle more sesame seeds over the other side.

While the slices are frying, boil up some water and cook the noodles according to the instructions. If you are doing instant noodles, it might be worth using the packet of seasoning that comes with, but it’s up to you! If you are adding some carrot, cut it into small chunks and chuck in with the noodles so they can cook for as long as possible, but if you are adding some broccoli florets then cut them small and just add at the end.

When the noodles and the tofu slices are done, tip out most of the water from the noodles and transfer them to the pan with the tofu. Splash over some soy sauce, chop up the spring onion and mix everything well. Eat immediately - and then get back to work extremely satisfied and full of protein!

Did you try the crispy tofu? Share on Instagram and tag @TheFromScratchBody and hashtag #TheFromScratchBody so I don’t miss it!