This is a sponsored post
Confession time… I’m a vegan food blogger who’s really not that into tofu. I’ve never seen the appeal – it doesn’t taste of much, slightly soggy texture, a faff to cook. Why bother? That is, until I tried tofu cooked ‘properly’ at Thai restaurants and then at Wagamama – suddenly the texture was beautiful, a really crispy coating with the spongy insides, literally soaking up all the flavours of the dish.
I needed to re-create this incredible tofu at home, and read that the way to achieve this amazing texture was to press all the liquid out of it. But oh, what a faff – the common method seemed to be squashing the tofu between two plates, weighted down with pans, tins or heavy books. I tried this once or twice, and the results were fairly good, but with water all over the worktop and tins falling off everywhere, this was never going to catch on.
Then an e-mail pinged in to my inbox from Ben, the inventor and manufacturer of the EZ Tofu Press who have just started selling in the UK and wondered if I would like to test one. Yes please!
You can see how I got on below – it is such a simple idea, just two sheets of tough food-safe plastic, with tough bolts which you tighten to increase the tension every few minutes, and simply squeeze the water out of your tofu, (which needs to be the firm or extra-firm variety, not silken). You can stand it upright on a plate like I did, or even stand it in the sink so the water runs straight down the plughole as it drains out. No mess, no spills, super easy and perfect crispy tofu!
Armed with my trusty tofu press, I was keen to re-create my all-time favourite tofu recipe, and the dish I order without fail every time I try a new Thai restaurant – vegan Pad Thai Noodles. Flat rice noodles, stir fried with beansprouts, tofu, chilli, spring onions and shallots, topped with peanuts, radish, fresh coriander and lime juice, with a ‘sauce’ of tamarind paste, sugar and a splash of vinegar. Sweet, sour and spicy – these are totally more-ish, tingling every single one of your taste buds with each forkful.
You can see above the really lovely texture of the tofu – crispy and spongy, soaking up all those lovely Thai flavours.
I’ve recommended in the recipe that you press and cook the tofu first, then prepare the vegetables and sauce whilst your noodles are soaking, so everything is ready to throw into the wok or pan for just a few minutes of fast and hot cooking time. Make sure the table is set to eat these immediately – these vegan pad thai noodles are at their very best served straight from the pan, with a fresh squeeze of lime juice.
Don’t forget to pin the recipe for later, or to share with friends → → → → →
.Do send me pictures of your very own vegan pad thai noodles on:
to show me how you got on!
Vegan Pad Thai: Shopping List
You will need:
- Extra firm tofu
- Flat rice noodles
- Shallots
- Red chillis
- Beansprouts
- Spring onions
- Radishes
- Fresh coriander
- Limes
- Tamarind paste
- White wine vinegar
- Dry roasted peanuts
- 150 g extra firm tofu (usually found in the dairy aisle in supermarkets)
- coconut or rapeseed oil for shallow frying
- 200 g flat rice noodles
- 2 shallots, peeled and finely sliced
- 2 red chillis, deseeded and finely sliced
- 50 g beansprouts
- 2 spring onions, diagonally sliced
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 2 tbsp tamarind paste
- 1 tsp white wine vinegar
- 2 tbsp boiling water
- 2 radishes, grated or julienne chopped
- 50 g dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
- handful fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped
- juice of 2 limes
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Press and drain the tofu for 10-15 minutes until a good amount of liquid has been released. Slice into half-centimetre thick slices, then cut each slice in half diagonally to form triangles. Lay out on your chopping board and pat dry with kitchen paper.
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Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok, (enough to completely cover the bottom of the pan), and when hot, add the tofu slices in batches and cook on both sides until crispy and golden brown. Remove onto a plate covered with kitchen paper, and set aside until needed.
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Cook the noodles according to packet instructions - usually soaking in boiling water for c.10 minutes. Whilst they are soaking, prepare all the vegetables.
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Prepare the sauce by whisking together the honey/sugar, tamarind paste, vinegar and boiling water in a small jug. Set aside.
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In the frying pan, heat a little oil and add the shallots and chillis, and cook for 2 minutes until starting to soften. Add the spring onions and beansprouts and cook for a further minute.
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Add the noodles and tofu to the pan and cook for a further minute or two until they are piping hot. Pour over the sauce and mix to completely coat the noodles.
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Divide the noodles between plates, and scatter with coriander, peanuts and radishes, then squeeze the juice of half a lime over each serving.
There are plenty of similarly quick and easy recipes in my new book, ‘Vegan in 15‘*. Hop over to Amazon for a look. Thanks for your support!
*Affiliate links
And if you haven’t yet signed up, you can get a monthly roundup of all my recipes and giveaways delivered to your inbox absolutely free – just click here to subscribe to The Veg Space monthly newsletter.
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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by EZ Tofu Press, who are also providing the giveaway prize. All opinions are my own. The EZ Tofu Press is available from Amazon UK for £35.00 (free delivery).
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February 27, 2016 at 8:37 am
Thank you so much for the great review and giveaway!
February 27, 2016 at 9:09 am
I love Pad Thai from restaurants but I have never tried to make it at home. I will definitely be trying this recipe it looks amazing x
February 27, 2016 at 9:24 am
I certainly could have used a Tofu Press instead of having a heavy Kilner full of lentils slip and break all over the floor! Thank you for the review and for the opportunity.
February 27, 2016 at 9:37 am
Meal looks yummy
February 27, 2016 at 10:17 am
That looks amazing, so fresh and bright with all of those colours! The tofu press looks great too – recipe now on my list for MeatFree Monday!
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 recently posted…Creme Egg Chocolate Cookie Bars
February 27, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Lucy! Hope you enjoy it x
February 27, 2016 at 10:27 am
Have been looking for a vegetarian Pad Thai recipe for ages that isn’t over complicated with ingredients difficult to get hold of. This looks simple and delicious! Cant wait to try it out
February 27, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Lizanne – hope you enjoy it! x
February 27, 2016 at 12:30 pm
fantastic prize!
February 27, 2016 at 12:39 pm
what a fab gizmo
February 27, 2016 at 12:55 pm
The Tofu press looks great! And the recipes looks amazing too, very colourful and healthy 🙂 Pinned to try later!
Diana recently posted…Double Beef Burgers with Corn Relish
February 27, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Thanks Diana! x
February 27, 2016 at 1:01 pm
I didnt even know it existed!!
February 27, 2016 at 1:04 pm
i’d love this – can never get m tofu consistency right
February 27, 2016 at 1:22 pm
This is a great idea, amount of times I have had things unbalance whilst pressing tofu, bang crash stuff on kitchen floor. Love the idea of using tofu in a pad Thai too.
February 27, 2016 at 1:51 pm
Brilliant idea, much better than balancing weights and cans on top of tofu blocks!
February 27, 2016 at 1:52 pm
This looks like such a fresh and delicious recipe, I don’t often cook with tofu – need to try this out!
Isabella recently posted…Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cookies
February 27, 2016 at 2:07 pm
What a great giveaway, very useful.
February 27, 2016 at 2:52 pm
This is so unique!! Great idea though!
Angela McDonald recently posted…Limited Edition Vanilla KitKat!
February 27, 2016 at 3:28 pm
Would love to try
February 27, 2016 at 5:32 pm
This is brilliant! I’ve recently become a vegan and am learning about new recipes including ones using tofu. This would be a great prize.
February 27, 2016 at 5:32 pm
LOVE THE GREAT PRIZE
February 27, 2016 at 5:37 pm
I might try your pad Thai recipe. It sounds fab.
February 27, 2016 at 6:23 pm
I love tofu, what a fab little gadget which would make life a bit easier!
February 27, 2016 at 6:26 pm
Definitly going to try this recipe, looks delicious, and would love this press as well, fingers crossed
February 27, 2016 at 6:33 pm
I buy my tofu from a local Chinese supermarket – much less watery than the Cauldron type, so it’s easier to press (although I still use the plates-and-heavy-books method). I look forward to trying out this recipe for pad thai, my boyfriend hates peanuts so maybe this will be the magic recipe that convinces him otherwise! Wish me luck!
February 27, 2016 at 7:21 pm
This sounds gorgeous. I don’t think I’ve every actually had Pad Thai before, something that clearly needs to be remedied. Love the photo of the ingredients all spread out on the board. As for a tofu press, I only realised there was such a thing when I saw Cathy’s post the other day. It looks like something well worth having.
Choclette recently posted…We Should Cocoa – The Butter Round-up
February 27, 2016 at 8:36 pm
Lovely recipe, cant wait to try it. Lovely prize too.
February 27, 2016 at 8:44 pm
Great prize!
February 28, 2016 at 12:54 am
I could seriously use one of those tofu presses! My plates don’t lend themselves that well to tofu squeezing ha! 😉
February 28, 2016 at 2:20 am
Yummy!
February 28, 2016 at 9:25 am
I am a veggie and never gotten on with tofu either. I’d like to use this and try again.
February 28, 2016 at 9:39 am
This would be so fantastic as since my son turned vegan we do a lot more cooking
February 28, 2016 at 10:11 am
Looks fantastic!!
February 28, 2016 at 12:20 pm
Looking forward to trying this – love this site as I’m always searching for tasty, healthy & easy recipes!
February 28, 2016 at 4:21 pm
I love tofu. It’s so versatile!
February 28, 2016 at 7:57 pm
Big fan of tofu and tempeh, the press looks useful and the recipe delicious!
February 28, 2016 at 10:33 pm
I need one of these in my life!! Great review and will be trying that recipe too
February 29, 2016 at 1:01 am
thanks im exited
February 29, 2016 at 1:19 pm
Thanks for a great review and fab giveaway x
February 29, 2016 at 3:00 pm
I’ve had a tofu press for a few weeks now and couldn’t be without it! I also end up ordering Pad Thai whenever I go to a Thai restaurant 🙂
Cathy @ Planet Veggie recently posted…Vegan Pinto Bean Stuffed Peppers Recipe
February 29, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Thai food is delicious.
February 29, 2016 at 3:45 pm
We’re trying to eat less meat in our house – I know, about time too! This would help.
February 29, 2016 at 8:09 pm
Please pick me
March 1, 2016 at 8:13 am
Just love Pad Thai, especially sprinkled crushed peanuts on top 😀
March 1, 2016 at 8:48 am
Fab prize, would really be useful in the kitchen!!
March 1, 2016 at 2:51 pm
looks fab fingers crossed x
March 1, 2016 at 8:11 pm
Boy, that press is a good idea. Bet I could make one quite easily out of two cutting boards and some bolts 🙂
March 2, 2016 at 1:36 pm
It makes me smile so much you used Mrs Beeton instead of the press! What a great idea, I love Tofu, but can never get it right… Maybe now! If not, Mrs Beeton may be more handy than I thought!
Keep Calm and Fanny On recently posted…Beep, Beep, Fanny’s Supermarket Sweep
March 2, 2016 at 6:59 pm
fabulous prize fingers crossed
March 4, 2016 at 1:09 pm
I came across the idea of a Tofu Press last weekend at Veg Fest – and I am so excited by the idea! Had practically given up on tofu due to the faffing needed. But have yet to find a suitable replacement. Quite pleased it looks like I won’t have to 🙂
March 5, 2016 at 8:54 am
Gosh this looks so wonderfully colourful! I love tofu scrambled egg – would have to give it a whirl with this press if I win!!
March 5, 2016 at 2:52 pm
My son likes to experiment with cooking so this would be useful for him
March 6, 2016 at 3:03 pm
I’ve been trying to track one of these down for ages! Would love to win one!
March 6, 2016 at 4:16 pm
This looks great!
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) recently posted…This Week #25
March 6, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Great gift idea
March 6, 2016 at 8:35 pm
Awesome prize
March 6, 2016 at 8:36 pm
I love tofu, can never make it right as it has too much water in, would love to win this 🙂
March 8, 2016 at 2:37 pm
i’d love this
March 9, 2016 at 7:46 pm
Looks amazing
March 9, 2016 at 8:05 pm
This looks really interesting, I haven’t seen one before! But I am trying to cook and eat more healthily these days and a couple of things that I was thinking to introduce are tofu and soya, so this could be handy!
Anna recently posted…Drumond Park LOGO What Am I? Review and Giveaway
March 10, 2016 at 11:42 am
I would love to try making this with the ‘proper’ gadget
March 10, 2016 at 3:18 pm
I love this recipe and wish I had known about the EZ press before! Would defintely make my life easier instead of piling books on top of plates ;D
March 13, 2016 at 11:26 am
looks great x
March 13, 2016 at 6:20 pm
Great prize
March 14, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Like others, I’ve had numerous accidents with tins of beans toppling off plates (and cracking the floor tiles) whilst trying to press tofu. This would make life much easier, and tofu tastier!
March 15, 2016 at 2:36 am
Such a fantastic competition
March 15, 2016 at 6:25 am
Awesome prize!!! Thank you so much for the chance 🙂 xx
March 15, 2016 at 11:20 am
I can’t believe that this exists!!! What a great invention and so much easier than trying to balance things on top of the tofu !
March 16, 2016 at 12:40 pm
Such a useful item this would be
March 16, 2016 at 12:49 pm
Hi! I’m a vegetarian and love the tofu that I sometimes gets at a good Asian restaurant. However, I can never replicate it at home! It’s always turning out quite spongy or rubbery when I do. I’m really interested in trying the tofu press.
March 17, 2016 at 6:58 pm
I’ve never tried tofu – I’ve heard mixed reviews! I would love to try it though and this would help it be made the right way.
March 17, 2016 at 8:06 pm
great prize fingers crossed
March 18, 2016 at 8:10 am
This sounds great, I’ve never come across a tofu press before! I’ve just started to experiment and tofu and actually ate it for the first time just a few weeks ago
March 18, 2016 at 9:07 am
That is a great gadget, would love to win!
March 18, 2016 at 12:23 pm
I’m starting to explore a vegan diet and so a tofu press would be really useful for me right now!
March 18, 2016 at 3:48 pm
Great giveaway. As a veggie I use a lot of tofu.
March 18, 2016 at 7:28 pm
I’ve just recently started to play with using tofu in my food, and definitely find that getting the water out is the trickiest bit!
March 18, 2016 at 8:05 pm
this would be g8, instead of using a bread board to squish it down
March 19, 2016 at 9:53 am
Fab prize would love to win 😀 fingers crossed.
March 19, 2016 at 11:31 am
After 25 years of vegatarianism I have been a vegan for 6 months.
March 19, 2016 at 11:32 am
After 25 years as a vegetarian I have been a vegan for 6 months
March 19, 2016 at 12:31 pm
I would love to win this
March 19, 2016 at 3:33 pm
this tofu press looks fab
March 19, 2016 at 4:13 pm
Great prize. Fingers crossed.
March 19, 2016 at 4:36 pm
Thank you so much for the great giveaway
March 19, 2016 at 7:02 pm
I just ate my dinner, but now I want to eat again!! This is an awesome gadget – I have never been able to cook tofu well before – I would love to try again with the EZ Tofu Press 😀
March 19, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Looks nice for this bad cook
March 19, 2016 at 7:09 pm
Tofu press sounds great and the recipe looks delicious
March 19, 2016 at 7:11 pm
I’d love to win! This looks great!
March 19, 2016 at 8:39 pm
This is the coolest gadget ever. Thank you so much for the opportunity x
March 19, 2016 at 9:37 pm
This looks really great
March 19, 2016 at 10:31 pm
This looks great would love to try it
March 19, 2016 at 11:04 pm
This looks great – thank you!
March 19, 2016 at 11:30 pm
Looks like a great and handy gadget!
March 20, 2016 at 12:55 am
This looks fab for my vegan niece 🙂
ellie spider recently posted…Weeks 2 & 3
March 20, 2016 at 10:27 am
great gadget for kitchen
March 20, 2016 at 11:07 am
I like Tofu and this press will make it easier to use
March 20, 2016 at 11:17 am
Love this – would be so handy!
March 20, 2016 at 11:19 am
love tofu and this would be a welcome addition to the kitchen
March 20, 2016 at 1:47 pm
This would be fab!!
March 20, 2016 at 3:27 pm
Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win
March 20, 2016 at 5:21 pm
My hubby and me have been veggies for 25 years and I still have not mastered the art of Tofu, it falls apart 🙁 Maybe this would change my luck with it <3
March 20, 2016 at 5:54 pm
Useful, brilliant price
March 20, 2016 at 6:40 pm
Great recipe!
March 20, 2016 at 7:05 pm
Great prize!
March 20, 2016 at 8:16 pm
Like all the best ideas, it is really super simple, and might make my own tofo experience a happier place too!!
March 20, 2016 at 8:42 pm
Would love to win
March 20, 2016 at 9:09 pm
I would love to win one of these. I am vegetarian and dairy intolerant, so use a lot of tofu. I currently press tofu using a makeshift press from cans, but the results are never great, there are always some bits which are still too moist to fry properly.
March 20, 2016 at 9:24 pm
Fab giveaway – would love to win! x
March 20, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Lovely giveaway!
March 20, 2016 at 9:56 pm
As l am a veggie this would be amazing to win.
March 20, 2016 at 10:50 pm
Great give away ……..
Bring it on!!
March 20, 2016 at 11:05 pm
Great prize, thanks for the chance 🙂
March 20, 2016 at 11:10 pm
I would love to win this so I could vary my diet.
March 20, 2016 at 11:57 pm
I’d love to win xx