This udon noodle stir fry with sweet ginger sesame sauce glazed over seared tofu and veggies is a an easy stir fry that will make the whole family rush to the table.
Nutrition in ginger
Ginger is generally prized for its use as an herb or flavor as a spice and not as a nutritional supplement. According to Self NutritionData, a 2-gram piece of ginger contains only 1.6 calories, 0.7 mg of omega-3 fatty acids and 2.4 mg of omega-6 fatty acids.
It provides 0.1 mg of vitamin C and 0.2 mg of folate. Ginger also contains minute amounts of minerals: 0.3 mg of calcium, 0.9 mg of magnesium, 0.7 mg of phosphorus, 8.3 mg of potassium and only 0.3 mg of sodium.–LiveStrong
One trick with this recipe is to freeze the tofu in its container ahead of time. Then defrost before using, because it changes the texture and makes it more firm and spongy which is great for dishes like this.
Protein in tofu
Unlike most plant-based foods, soy is considered a complete protein, possessing all the essential amino acids. Tofu is thus a good protein source, due both to the amount and nature of the protein it contains.
The protein content is higher in firm types of tofu than in softer types. According to the Illinois Center for Soy Foods (ICSF), a 3-oz. piece of firm tofu has about 13 g of protein, compared with about 4 g in soft tofu. The Vegetarian Resource Group (VRG) puts the content of 4 to 5 oz. of tofu at 11 g.–LiveStrong
Some people are not too sure about tofu, because it contains phytoestrogens. Turns out, phytoestrogens are very health promoting and are not at all like our body’s natural estrogen that can cause harm and lead to disease.
This makes so much sense, because the countries that consume the most soy, such as Japan and China, have the lowest rates of cancer and chronic disease. The short video below will explain the benefits of soy.
The vegetables chosen to use is completely your preference. Some of the ones we use regularly are mushrooms, Bok Choy, bell peppers, snow peas, and baby corn.
There are many different types of pasta possibilities for this recipe–rice pastas, lo mein, or spaghetti. The udon noodles that I like to use are a wheat pasta from Japan.
At my house we love pasta, and we love stir fries. This recipe is a great way to satisfy both at one time!
To adjust the serving sizes of any of my recipes, simply go to the ‘Servings’ listed in the recipe card right above the ingredients list. Hover over the number of servings, and a sliding bar will appear. Slide to the number of servings you would like, and the ingredients will automatically adjust the amounts.
Plant-Based Starter Kit
- 1 package firm tofu
- 3 medium green onions sliced at an angle
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small bunch Bok Choy
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup snow peas
- 8 oz udon noodles
- 2 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 1 tsp tahini (or dash of sesame oil)
- 2 Tbsp garlic, minced
- 2 tsp ginger root, minced (or 1 tsp dried)
- 4 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3-5 Tbsp water
- 1.5 Tbsp agave nectar
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Drain and press excess water out of tofu and slice into triangles. (NOTE: I like to freeze my tofu in its container, then defrost before use because it changes the texture and makes it more firm & spongy which is great for some dishes like this.) Drizzle with soy sauce and allow to marinate while you prepare the other ingredients.
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Cook udon noodles according to package directions, drain, rinse under cool water, and set to the side.
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In large wok or skillet, add sesame seeds to dry pan and roast until golden brown and starting to pop.
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Transfer roasted seeds to a bowl, add all sauce ingredients, and whisk together.
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Place wok or skillet back on the heat and add 1-2 Tbsp of the sauce. Add marinated tofu triangles, as close to a single layer as possible to allow for browning. Cook approximately 3 minutes, until browned, then flip tofu pieces so other side can brown as well. Add more sauce if needed to keep from sticking. Remove from pan and set to the side on a plate.
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Return skillet to heat and add 3-5 Tbsp water or veggie broth and Bok Choy. Cook until starting to wilt, approximately 5-7 minutes. Add all other veggies and 1 more Tbsp. of sauce. Allow to cook until veggies are slightly tender.
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Toss noodles and the rest of Sweet Sesame Sauce into veggie pan. Add tofu and heat another 3-4 minutes. Serve warm and enjoy!
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I do wish there was a way to print these recipes without the pictures, ads, etc.
Your recipes look delicious.
To print a black and white plain copy, just click on one of the print buttons. One button is at the top right corner of the recipe, beside the star ratings. It’s just a picture of a printer. The other button is at the bottom of the recipe, beside the email button and says, ‘Print’ on it. Hope this helps!
I want to pin individual recipes like this one but cannot find a Pinterest button. Do you have one that I am just not seeing?
Diane, if you are on your phone, the share buttons (including Pinterest) are at the top of the recipe photo in blue. And, if you are on a desktop, the share buttons float in the left top corner. Hope this helps and thanks for Pinning!