I Goreng Macaroni Instead of Mee By Accident #summerchallenge2

Name: I Goreng Macaroni Instead of Mee By Accident #summerchallenge2
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: Tofu:; 300 g Firm Tofu,; 1 TBSP Soy Sauce Preferably Kikkoman,; Pinch Sea Salt,; Pinch Cornstarch,; Pasta:; Dried Chilies, 10g Adjust To Preference; 3 TBSP Canola / Peanut / Vegetable Oil,; 10 g Yellow Split Peas,; 1 TSP Vegan Miso Paste,; 1/2 TBSP Tamarind Paste,; 2 TBSP Pic's Smooth Peanut Butter,; 1 Red Onion Finely Minced,; 3 Cloves Garlic Finely Minced,; 200 g Alce Nero's Organic Macaroni,; Pinch Sea Salt,; Pinch Nori Flakes,; 1 TBSP Soy Sauce Preferably Kikkoman,; Scallions Thinly Sliced, For Garnishing

Daniel Lim @fatdoughsg

Singapore

#summerchallenge2 Being born and raised in a small island called Singapore, I am always intrigued by our cuisine. It is actually a fusion of multiple cultures. Take this Mee Goreng for example, it is originated in Indonesia and travelled to Malaysia and eventually finding it's way to Singapore. There're many different variations. Chinese, Malay and Indian have their own spin on this Mee Goreng, but throughout the years, the real taste seems to dissipate.

Most are using tomato ketchup and factory ready-made paste. The worst are the ones who are using food coloring to make it look more vibrantly red. Less and less eateries are making the paste from scratch; the paste is rather easy and doesn't require a lot of ingredients. To think about it, it is kinda sad.

I believe awhile back, I announced that I am bringing Singapore's dishes to the future. This is one of those dishes. I am not a fan of the traditional yellow noodles, hence the title; I replaced the noodles with Alce Nero's organic macaroni. I also made this dish 100% by replacing the shrimps with tofu. All the steps and processes in crafting a crispy yet soft tofu are all listed in the directions below. It does takes a bit of time and effort, but it is well worth it. As Massimo Bottura always emphasizes, do not look at traditional dishes at a nostalgic way, but in a critique way. I hope you will give my version of Mee Goreng a try.

Daniel Lim @fatdoughsg

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Ingredients

Tofu:
300 gFirm Tofu,
1 TBSPSoy Sauce Preferably Kikkoman,
PinchSea Salt,
PinchCornstarch,
Pasta:
Dried Chilies, 10g Adjust To Preference
3 TBSPCanola / Peanut / Vegetable Oil,
10 gYellow Split Peas,
1 TSPVegan Miso Paste,
1/2 TBSPTamarind Paste,
2 TBSPPic's Smooth Peanut Butter,
1Red Onion Finely Minced,
3 ClovesGarlic Finely Minced,
200 gAlce Nero's Organic Macaroni,
PinchSea Salt,
PinchNori Flakes,
1 TBSPSoy Sauce Preferably Kikkoman,
Scallions Thinly Sliced, For Garnishing

Saved

Steps

1

Prepare tofu.
Slice tofu into 4 slices.
If you have a tofu press, use it to press the tofu to release the liquid.
If not, wrap the tofu slices with a lint free kitchen towel.
2

Place a skillet on top of the tofu.
Put some weight onto the skillet; I used can food.
*Please do not put too much weight as you will squash the tofu.*
Set aside for at least 30 mins.
3

You will notice how much liquid has been drawn out from the tofu.
The tofu has also becomes firmer.
Slice the tofu into tater tots sizes.
Transfer into a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Lay the tofu tots apart without overlapping as you will have a hard time separating after freezing.
Freeze the tofu in the freezer until completely frozen.
4

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius or 355 fahrenheit.
I do not believe in microwave, so I thaw my tofu at room temperature for an hr.
More liquid is extracted from the tofu.
Pat the tofu dry with a lint free kitchen towel.
Transfer into a small bowl.
5

Add a dash of soy sauce and a pinch of salt.
Lightly stir to combine well and the tofu is well coated.
Add in cornstarch.
Lightly mix to combine well and the tofu is well coated.
Transfer into a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Wack into the oven and bake for 30 mins or until the tofu is crispy.
Remove from oven and set aside.
6

Prepare pasta.
Soak dried chilies in hot water until soft.
Deseed if desire.
Drain and pad the chilies dry.
In a skillet over medium heat, drizzle oil.
As soon as the oil is heated up, add in chilies and peas.
Saute until aromatic.
7

Drain, but reserve the oil in the skillet, and transfer into a blender.
Blitz until smooth paste forms.
*You can add some water to get the blitzing going.*
Transfer the paste back into the same skillet.
Add in miso, tamarind and peanut butter.
Turn the heat up to medium.
Stir to combine well.
8

Continue cooking until the color turns a darker shade of red and the oil starts to separate from the paste.
Transfer into bowl but leave the skillet as it is.
Return the skillet back onto the heat.
Add in onion and deglaze the skillet scrapping up all the brown bits that was stuck on the skillet.
Saute the onion until translucent.
Add in garlic and saute until aromatic.
9

Add in the chili paste.
Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt.
Saute until well combined.
Transfer into a bowl, leaving the skillet as it is.
Return the skillet back onto the heat.
10

Add in 400g of hot water into the skillet.
Add in Alce Nero's macaroni.
Lightly season with salt.
Cook until the macaroni is almost al dente and until the pasta water has almost evaporates.
*Add in more hot water if the macaroni is not yet al dente, 1/8 cup at a time.*
11

Add in the chili paste and tofu.
Saute until well combined, making sure the macaroni and tofu are well coated.
Remove from heat.
12

Add in nori flakes and soy sauce.
Taste and adjust for seasoning with salt.
Give it a final stir to combine well.
Transfer onto serving plate.
Garnish with scallions.
Serve immediately.