Easy Elevated Ramen

Ingredients:

• Broth:

  • 56g whole grain brown rice noodles

  • 2 cups chicken stock

  • 2 tbsp coconut aminos

  • 2 tsp minced garlic

  • 1 tsp minced ginger

  • ¼ cup dried shiitake mushrooms

  • ½ cup chopped bok choy loosely packed

  • ½ tsp sesame oil

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• Tofu:

  • 3 oz extra firm tofu

  • 1 tbsp coconut aminos

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • 1 tbsp cornstarch

  • ½ tbsp sesame oil

  • Pepper to taste

  • Garnishes (optional):

  • 1 boiled egg (I like to do soft boiled; about 9 minutes)

  • Chopped green onions

  • Chopped parsley

  • White sesame seeds

  • Red pepper flakes

*Notes:

• The noodles I used were Annie Chun’s Maifun Whole Grain Brown Rice Noodles (V, GF). I picked them up at my local grocery store.

• For a completely vegan recipe, substitute the chicken stock for veggie stock and omit the boiled egg.

• For those who enjoy a little spice, add red pepper flakes or chili powder to tofu before cooking.

• Sesame oil can be substituted for olive oil if desired.

 Instructions:

The broth:

1. Cook the noodles according to box instructions, drain, and set aside.

2. Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat.

3. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

4. Add the coconut aminos and cook for another minute.

5. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.

6. Once boiling, add in the mushrooms and bok choy and reduce to a simmer.

7. Simmer for 10 minutes uncovered and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Finally, add noodles.

The tofu:

1. Gently squeeze the tofu block with a paper towel to remove all excess water, then cut into ½ inch sized cubes.

2. Place cubes into a bowl and add the coconut aminos, garlic powder, and pepper. Gently stir with a rubber spatula to cover each cube with marinade.

3. Add the cornstarch to the tofu and stir with rubber spatula to cover each cube.

4. Heat the sesame oil in a frying pan over medium heat until smoking.

5. Add the tofu and cook until golden brown, roughly 1 minute. Flip with a spatula and cook for another minute.

The Assembly:

1. Pour broth and noodles into a bowl and add tofu on top.

2. If desired, add boiled egg cut in half, chopped green onions, parsley, sesame seeds, and red pepper flakes.