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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
Ultimate Vegan Pad Thai
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- 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.
- 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.
- Cook the noodles according to packet instructions - usually soaking in boiling water for c.10 minutes. Whilst they are soaking, prepare all the vegetables.
- Prepare the sauce by whisking together the honey/sugar, tamarind paste, vinegar and boiling water in a small jug. Set aside.
- 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.
- 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.
- Divide the noodles between plates, and scatter with coriander, peanuts and radishes, then squeeze the juice of half a lime over each serving.
Nutrition
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!
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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).
Tracy Nixon says
Thank you so much for the great review and giveaway!
Alison says
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
Deborah ShireGardener says
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.
aaron broad says
Meal looks yummy
Lucy @ BakingQueen74 says
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!
thevegspace says
Thanks Lucy! Hope you enjoy it x
Lizanne Cusens says
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
thevegspace says
Thanks Lizanne – hope you enjoy it! x
winnie says
fantastic prize!
laura banks says
what a fab gizmo
Diana says
The Tofu press looks great! And the recipes looks amazing too, very colourful and healthy 🙂 Pinned to try later!
thevegspace says
Thanks Diana! x
Charmian Filewood says
I didnt even know it existed!!
Sophie Williams says
i’d love this – can never get m tofu consistency right
sandi green says
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.
Maxine G says
Brilliant idea, much better than balancing weights and cans on top of tofu blocks!
Isabella says
This looks like such a fresh and delicious recipe, I don’t often cook with tofu – need to try this out!
Paula Readings says
What a great giveaway, very useful.
Angela McDonald says
This is so unique!! Great idea though!
Kim M says
Would love to try
Karen Nagle says
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.
Karl Borowy says
LOVE THE GREAT PRIZE
Romana Richards says
I might try your pad Thai recipe. It sounds fab.
Leanne V McKenna says
I love tofu, what a fab little gadget which would make life a bit easier!
Susan Smith says
Definitly going to try this recipe, looks delicious, and would love this press as well, fingers crossed
Jenny says
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!
Choclette says
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.
Mary D says
Lovely recipe, cant wait to try it. Lovely prize too.
ashleigh allan says
Great prize!
Sarah | Well and Full says
I could seriously use one of those tofu presses! My plates don’t lend themselves that well to tofu squeezing ha! 😉
Chad says
Yummy!
claire woods says
I am a veggie and never gotten on with tofu either. I’d like to use this and try again.
Lucy Chester says
This would be so fantastic as since my son turned vegan we do a lot more cooking
frances hopkins says
Looks fantastic!!
Rebecca says
Looking forward to trying this – love this site as I’m always searching for tasty, healthy & easy recipes!
Emily Clark says
I love tofu. It’s so versatile!
Alec Smith says
Big fan of tofu and tempeh, the press looks useful and the recipe delicious!
Chloe Bailey says
I need one of these in my life!! Great review and will be trying that recipe too
ruth robinson says
thanks im exited
tasha says
Thanks for a great review and fab giveaway x
Cathy @ Planet Veggie says
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 🙂
Rachel Craig says
Thai food is delicious.
ElizM says
We’re trying to eat less meat in our house – I know, about time too! This would help.
Claire D says
Please pick me
betony bennett says
Just love Pad Thai, especially sprinkled crushed peanuts on top 😀
Ruth Harwood says
Fab prize, would really be useful in the kitchen!!
laura stewart says
looks fab fingers crossed x
Len says
Boy, that press is a good idea. Bet I could make one quite easily out of two cutting boards and some bolts 🙂
Keep Calm and Fanny On says
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!
clair downham says
fabulous prize fingers crossed
charlotte says
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 🙂
El Green says
Gosh this looks so wonderfully colourful! I love tofu scrambled egg – would have to give it a whirl with this press if I win!!
Julie Ward says
My son likes to experiment with cooking so this would be useful for him
Bryony Brooke says
I’ve been trying to track one of these down for ages! Would love to win one!
Jess Powell (Babi a Fi) says
This looks great!
Lyla says
Great gift idea
Olga carpenter says
Awesome prize
Sarah S says
I love tofu, can never make it right as it has too much water in, would love to win this 🙂
Glyn Davies says
i’d love this
Dawn says
Looks amazing
Anna says
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!
Michelle Sykes says
I would love to try making this with the ‘proper’ gadget
charlie says
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
Michelle O'Neill says
looks great x
Robby Price says
Great prize
Vicki says
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!
Simon Harrington says
Such a fantastic competition
Jess Mary says
Awesome prize!!! Thank you so much for the chance 🙂 xx
Sofie says
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 !
Jodie Darnley says
Such a useful item this would be
Mia says
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.
EJ Dunn says
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.
donna l jones says
great prize fingers crossed
Victoria Prince says
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
Jill Ashton says
That is a great gadget, would love to win!
Nicola McConnell says
I’m starting to explore a vegan diet and so a tofu press would be really useful for me right now!
Rebecca Howells (@PeanutHog) says
Great giveaway. As a veggie I use a lot of tofu.
Emily Dorrington says
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!
emily omara says
this would be g8, instead of using a bread board to squish it down
cassie taylor says
Fab prize would love to win 😀 fingers crossed.
Keith Dixon says
After 25 years of vegatarianism I have been a vegan for 6 months.
Keith Dixon says
After 25 years as a vegetarian I have been a vegan for 6 months
Vera Bahounkova says
I would love to win this
Angela Williams says
this tofu press looks fab
Rachel Butterworth says
Great prize. Fingers crossed.
Gill Holmes says
Thank you so much for the great giveaway
Francesca Harrod says
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 😀
Keith Hunt says
Looks nice for this bad cook
sarah P says
Tofu press sounds great and the recipe looks delicious
MichelleD says
I’d love to win! This looks great!
Nancy Bradford says
This is the coolest gadget ever. Thank you so much for the opportunity x
Sheri Darby says
This looks really great
Karen Howden says
This looks great would love to try it
Adrian Bold says
This looks great – thank you!
Trevor Linvell says
Looks like a great and handy gadget!
ellie spider says
This looks fab for my vegan niece 🙂
emma kinsey says
great gadget for kitchen
Richard Eldred Hawes says
I like Tofu and this press will make it easier to use
liz ferguson says
Love this – would be so handy!
Samantha Bolter says
love tofu and this would be a welcome addition to the kitchen
Dale Dow says
This would be fab!!
Jayne Kelsall says
Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win
Bridgette West says
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
Siobhan Lucy says
Useful, brilliant price
Pam Francis Gregory says
Great recipe!
Matt Brasier says
Great prize!
Pam Martin-Lawrence says
Like all the best ideas, it is really super simple, and might make my own tofo experience a happier place too!!
Karen Dixon says
Would love to win
Fiona jk42 says
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.
Lorna-Jane Holland says
Fab giveaway – would love to win! x
Cerys John says
Lovely giveaway!
Eva Appleby says
As l am a veggie this would be amazing to win.
Marcello Marques Pinho says
Great give away ……..
Bring it on!!
Natalie Gillham says
Great prize, thanks for the chance 🙂
Diane Duggan says
I would love to win this so I could vary my diet.
Natalie Crossan says
I’d love to win xx