Warm Tofu Salad with Thai Dressing

This dish is not saucy but rather a warm salad style, where crispy neutral fried tofu is tossed with very intense flavour bomb dressing before serving. Thai cuisine four basic flavours – salty (soy), sweet (sugar), sour (lime) and hot (chilli) – appear here in perfect balance providing refreshing light experience.
🕒 Prep Time 20 mins
🍳 Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 35 mins
🍽️ Servings 2 servings
🔥 Calories 390 kcal
🌍 Cuisine Thai

Ingredients

Equipment Needed

  • Frying pan for tofu
  • Pot for noodles (optional)
  • Small bowl for dressing

Allergen Information

⚠️ Soya
⚠️ Sesame seeds

Instructions

1

Press tofu, dice. Heat 1 tbsp sesame oil in pan, fry tofu golden brown.

Tip: Sesame oil has lower smoke point than sunflower, fry medium heat so not to burn.
2

While frying prepare dressing: whisk soy sauce, lime juice, brown sugar, grated garlic and ginger, chilli flakes.

Tip: Taste! If too sour need sugar, if too salty need lime. Balance is key.
3

If using noodles, scald rice noodles according packet, drain and rinse cold water.

Tip: Rice noodles overcook easily becoming sticky (starch), cold water stops this.
4

Put fried warm tofu (and noodles) in bowl, pour over dressing. Let stand 5 mins.

Tip: Warm noodles and tofu absorb flavours better.
5

Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and fresh coriander when serving.

Recipe FAQ

Why sugar didn't dissolve in dressing?
In cold liquids granulated sugar dissolves harder. Use icing sugar, honey, or mix sugar first with lime juice and let stand few mins.

Ingredients

  • 400 g Tofu
  • 3 tbsp Soy sauce
  • 2 cloves Garlic
  • 10 g Fresh ginger
  • 1 whole Lime juice
  • 1 tbsp Brown sugar (or coconut sugar)
  • 2 tbsp Sesame oil
  • 0.5 tsp Chilli flakes
  • 2 tbsp Fresh coriander
  • 2 tbsp Sesame seeds
  • 200 g Rice noodles (optional)
  • 1 pinch Salt
  • 1 pinch Pepper