PAD THAI WITH CRISPY TOFU AND WITH ZEST OF LIME
A delightful vegetarian version of the classic Thai favourite is Pad Thai with Crispy Tofu and Zest Of Lime, which offers a blend of savoury, tangy and umami flavours in every bite. This single-serving recipe is perfect for anyone looking for a quick, wholesome meal without sacrificing taste. Firm tofu brings satisfying texture and protein, while bean sprouts add crunch and freshness. The combination of soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice and garlic creates a vibrant and aromatic sauce that coats the noodles beautifully. This version is minimal yet delicious and requires only a handful of ingredients. This pad thai is perfect for busy weeknights, solo lunches or when you crave an authentic Thai dish without spending hours in the kitchen. Customise with more vegetables or make it vegan by swapping fish sauce for a plant-based alternative. Pad Thai with Crispy Tofu is light, zesty and easy to prepare.
RECIPE CATEGORY
Dinner
SERVING SIZE
1
CUISINE
Thai
PREPARATION/TECHNIQUES
Stir-Fry
OCCASION/HOLIDAY
Casual Dinner
SPECIAL CONSIDERATION/DIETARY CONCERNS
Vegetarian
DISH TYPE
Main Course
INGREDIENTS
Here is a list of ingredients for pad thai with crispy tofu and with zest of lime:
- 30 grams | 1.06 ounces | ¼ cup rice noodles, cooked
- 40 grams | 1.41 ounces | ¼ cup firm tofu, cubed
- 5 millilitres | 0.08 fluid ounces | ½ teaspoon soy sauce
- 5 millilitres | 0.08 fluid ounces | ½ teaspoon fish sauce
- 5 millilitres | 0.08 fluid ounces | ½ teaspoon lime juice
- 5 grams | 0.05 ounces | ½ teaspoon garlic, minced
- 15 millilitres | 0.51 fluid ounces | 1 tablespoon oil (optional)
- 10 grams | 0.35 ounces | 1 tablespoon bean sprouts
FULL NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
- Calories: 109.70 kilocalories
- Protein: 7.16 grams
- Carbohydrates: 8.05 grams
- Sugars: 1.03 grams
- Fibre: 1.61 grams
- Fat: 2.51 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.79 grams
- Sodium: 143.40 milligrams
- Calcium: 15.54 milligrams
- Iron: 1.10 milligrams
- Potassium: 30.10 milligrams
PREPARATION
These steps are followed for the preparation of pad thai with crispy tofu and with zest of lime:
- Cook The Noodles: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add rice noodles and cook according to package instructions until tender. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare The Tofu: Pat the tofu cubes dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Stir-Fry The Tofu: Heat a non-stick skillet or wok over medium flame. Add a splash of oil (optional) and stir-fry tofu until all sides are golden and crisp for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Mix The Sauces: In a small bowl, combine soy sauce, fish sauce and lime juice. Stir it well.
- Combine ingredients: Add the cooked rice noodles to the pan with tofu. Pour the sauce mixture over the top and toss everything together until well-coated and heated.
- Finish With Bean Sprouts: Add the bean sprouts and cook for 30 seconds to keep their crunch.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer pad thai with crispy tofu and with zest of lime to a serving plate and enjoy hot.
PREPARATION TIME
5 minutes
COOKING TIME
10 minutes
TIPS
Here are some helpful tips for pad thai with crispy tofu and with zest of lime:
- Press The Tofu: Use a tofu press or wrap the tofu in a towel and place something heavy on it for 15 minutes to remove excess water for better browning.
- Noodle Timing: Cook noodles until tender and overcooking leads to a mushy texture when stir-fried.
- Use A Non-Stick Pan: It helps to reduce the amount of oil needed and prevents tofu from sticking.
- Balance Flavours: Adjust lime juice or soy sauce to taste for extra tang or saltiness.
- Pre-Cooked Noodles: You can cook noodles in advance and store them in the refrigerator for up to two days.
VARIATIONS
- Vegan Option: Replace fish sauce with a vegan alternative or add soy sauce to the Pad Thai with Crispy Tofu.
- Add Vegetables: Include shredded carrots, bell peppers or chopped green onions for more nutrients and texture of Pad Thai with Crispy Tofu.
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of chilli flakes or a dash of Sriracha for heat.
- Nutty Twist: Top with crushed peanuts for a traditional Pad Thai garnish.
- Gluten-Free: Ensure all sauces are gluten-free and especially the soy sauce.
PREPPING AND STORAGE
- Refrigerator: Store leftover Pad Thai with Crispy Tofu in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Reheat in a skillet over medium flame until warmed through.
- Freezing: Freezing is not recommended due to the texture change of tofu and noodles.
- Pre-Preparation: Cube tofu and cook noodles in advance to save time during meal preparation. Store separately in the refrigerator until ready to use.
- Meal preparation tip: Portion cooked ingredients into containers without sauce and add sauce just before reheating to maintain freshness.
