Malaysian-spiced noodles with tofu

Aromatic, rich and spicy - proof, if you ever needed it, that vegetarian food is anything but bland.

This meal provides 712 kcal, 18g protein, 81g carbohydrate (of which 4g sugars), 34g fat (of which 17g saturates), 1g fibre and 3g salt per portion.

By Simon Rimmer

Ingredients

For the spice paste

  • 25g/1oz fresh ginger, peeled
  • 2 lemongrassstalks
  • 2 red chillies
  • 3 shallots, chopped
  • 1 garlicclove
  • 1 tsp turmericpowder
  • pinch of salt
  • 2-3 tbsp vegetable oil

For the sauce

  • 400ml/14fl oz can coconut milk
  • 250ml/9fl oz vegetable stock

For the noodles

  • vegetable oil, for deep-frying, plus 1 tbsp for frying
  • 150g/5oz fresh tofu, cut to 2.5cm/1in squares, dried on kitchen paper
  • 20 oyster mushrooms, finely sliced
  • 8 sugarsnap peas or mange tout, blanched, cut in half lengthways
  • 400g/14oz ready-made udon noodles, cooked according to packet instructions

To serve

  • fresh corianderleaves
  • limewedges
  • crushed peanuts