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Tea Smoked Tofu with Rice Noodle Salad served on a white plate with wooden chopsticks on a red napkin
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Tea Smoked Tofu with Rice Noodle Salad

This recipe for Tea Smoked Tofu with Rice Noodle Salad uses smoking techniques to create a unique flavour profile.
Prep Time25 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Pressing time15 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese
Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: black tea, brown sugar, carrot, coriander, cucumber, rice, rice noodles, tofu
Servings: 2 people
Calories: 471.32kcal

Equipment

  • 1 wok, or deep pan with lid
  • Aluminium foil
  • 1 wire rack or steamer insert
  • 1 saucepan
  • mixing bowls
  • 1 knife
  • 1 chopping board

Ingredients

For the smoked tofu

  • 250 g extra-firm tofu pressed
  • 2 tablespoon black tea leaves e.g. Lapsang souchong
  • 2 tablespoon uncooked rice
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar

For the salad

  • 100 g rice noodles
  • 1 carrot julienned
  • 1 red pepper thinly sliced
  • 0.5 red cabbage thinly sliced
  • 1 handful coriander
  • 2 tablespoon peanuts roughly chopped

For the dressing:

  • 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
  • 1½ tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 1 chilli oil
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon root ginger grated
  • 1 clove garlic minced

Instructions

  • Press the tofu for at least 20 minutes to remove excess moisture. This helps it absorb smoke and flavour more effectively. Slice into slabs about 1–1.5 cm thick.
  • Line a wok or deep pan with foil. Add the tea leaves, uncooked rice, and brown sugar, mixing lightly. Place a rack over the mixture.
  • Arrange the tofu on the rack. Cover tightly with a lid and heat over medium until smoke forms. Reduce heat to low and smoke for 8–10 minutes. Turn off heat and let it rest, covered, for another 5 minutes to deepen the flavour.
  • Soak or boil according to package instructions. Rinse under cold water and drain well to prevent sticking.
  • (Optional) pan fry the smoked tofu slices in a little oil until crispy.
  • Whisk together the dressing ingredients.
  • Toss the rice noodles with the vegetables, herbs and dressing.
  • Top with sliced tea smoked tofu and finish with the peanuts.

Notes

Top tip: this is going to create a lot of smoke! Make sure you’re in a well ventilated area and avoid wearing clothes you don’t want to smell of tea afterwards!!!

Nutrition

Calories: 471.32kcal | Carbohydrates: 77.63g | Protein: 19.49g | Fat: 10.74g | Saturated Fat: 1.66g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4.31g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3.96g | Sodium: 1260.58mg | Potassium: 1084.38mg | Fiber: 8.61g | Sugar: 21.48g | Vitamin A: 9366.7IU | Vitamin C: 198.31mg | Calcium: 183.63mg | Iron: 4.79mg