Name: Japanese tofu noodle bowl
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 3 tbsp tamari or dark soy sauce -; 2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar -; 1 tbsp mirin or 2 tsp caster sugar -; 200g firm tofu , drained, patted dry and cut into 8 cubes -; cornflour , for coating -; sunflower oil , for frying -; 1 bunch asparagus , base of stalks snapped off, cut diagonally into about 4 pieces -; 50g fresh or frozen edamame beans -; 50g frozen peas -; small piece ginger , grated -; 400g pack straight-to-wok udon noodles -; coriander leaves, to garnish -; chilli oil, to serve -

Ingredients for - Japanese tofu noodle bowl

1. 3 tbsp tamari or dark soy sauce

2. 2 tbsp seasoned rice vinegar

3. 1 tbsp mirin or 2 tsp caster sugar

4. 200g firm tofu , drained, patted dry and cut into 8 cubes

5. cornflour , for coating

6. sunflower oil , for frying

7. 1 bunch asparagus , base of stalks snapped off, cut diagonally into about 4 pieces

8. 50g fresh or frozen edamame beans

9. 50g frozen peas

10. small piece ginger , grated

11. 400g pack straight-to-wok udon noodles

12. coriander leaves, to garnish

13. chilli oil, to serve

How to cook deliciously - Japanese tofu noodle bowl

1 . Stage

Combine the tamari or soy sauce, vinegar and mirin or sugar in a shallow bowl and stir until dissolved. Place the tofu in the marinade and turn to coat. Leave to absorb the flavours for about 30 mins or more. (If marinating for several hours, keep in the fridge.)

2 . Stage

When ready to cook, turn the oven on to warm. Scatter the cornflour over a plate. Remove the tofu from the marinade, reserving the marinade, and roll in the cornflour to coat all sides. Heat a wide frying pan over a medium-high and add enough sunflower oil to cover the base of the pan. Fry the tofu, using tongs to turn, until dark golden and crisp all over. Drain on kitchen paper, then keep warm in the oven.

3 . Stage

Place 1 litre of water in a medium saucepan with the reserved marinade and bring to the boil. Add asparagus, edamame beans, peas, ginger and noodles and return to the boil. Simmer until the vegetables are just tender, about 3-4 mins. Divide between 4 bowls and place 2 tofu cubes in each. Top with coriander leaves and serve drizzled with a little of the chilli oil.