Inject next-level flavor and texture into this dish by concentrating on getting your tofu and mushrooms beautifully golden. Make sure your tofu is super-dry before adding it to the pan, and it’ll take on color much more quickly. Not only is tofu a fantastic carrier of flavor, it’s also high in protein, low in saturated fat and a great source of both calcium and phosphorous, which your body needs for strong, healthy bones. Combined with strips of sweet pepper, noodles, crunchy water chestnuts and a peppering of toasted sesame seeds, this dish is incredibly tasty, brilliantly quick, and it’s good for you, too.

Ingredients:

• 150g free-range egg noodles
• olive oil
• 150g firm tofu
• 150g small chestnut mushrooms
• 1 small red pepper_
• 1 small fresh red chili
• 4 spring onions
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 cm ginger
• 1 x 220g tin sliced water chestnuts
• 1 lime
• 2 tablespoons low-salt soy sauce
• a few sprigs of fresh coriander
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds

Method: (9 Steps)

• Cook the noodles in boiling water for 3 minutes, or until just tender, then drain and refresh under cold water. Drain again, toss in a little oil and put to one side.
• Drain the tofu well, then pat dry with kitchen paper and chop into 2cm chunks.
• Trim and chop the mushrooms in half or into quarters through the stalks. Halve, deseed and finely slice the pepper and chili, trim and finely slice the spring onions. Peel and finely slice the garlic then peel and finely chop the ginger. Drain the water chestnuts.
• Squeeze the lime juice into a small bowl, mix in the soy, then pick and tear in most of the coriander leaves.
• Heat a splash of oil in a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat, add the tofu and mushrooms, spreading them out in a single layer, then fry for a few minutes, or until the tofu is golden all over and mushrooms are juicy, turning occasionally.
• Scatter over the sesame seeds and toast in the pan with the mushrooms and tofu for 1 minute, then tip out onto a plate and keep warm until needed.
• Quickly wipe the pan with a ball of kitchen paper, place back on the heat and turn it up to high. Drizzle in a splash more oil, then add the garlic, ginger, chili and spring onions and fry for 30 seconds, then add the peppers and water chestnuts, and stir-fry until just starting to soften.
• Add the noodles and cook until hot through, stirring regularly. Turn off the heat and stir through half the soy and lime dressing.
• Divide the stir-fry between your plates, spoon over the tofu and mushrooms. then drizzle over the remaining dressing. Pick and tear over the remaining coriander, then serve.