Speedy Tofu Laksa

How could we ever say no to different variations of our favourite crowd-pleasing noodle dish? This rendition of the spicy and warming laksa features tofu and a bunch of vegetables in contrast to the chicken and seafood commonly found in local hawker centres. It's also a breeze to cook up, requiring less than an hour from kitchen to table.

Yield: Serves 4
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Difficulty Level: 3/5

Ingredients

• 250 g dried bee hoon
• 185 g laksa paste
• 2 cup (500 ml) coconut milk
• 1 litre (4 cups) vegetable stock
• 1 cup (250 ml) water
• 125 g baby corn, halved lengthways
• 75 g snow peas, halved lengthways
• 200 g fried tofu puffs, halved
• 1 cup (80 g) beansprouts
• ¼ cup lightly packed fresh coriander (cilantro) sprigs
• 1 tbsp sambal oelek
• 1 medium lime (90 g), cut into wedges

LAKSA PASTE

• 1 tbsps peanut or vegetable oil
• 6 cm piece fresh ginger (30g), chopped
• 1 fresh kaffir lime leaf, rib removed
• 4 fresh coriander (cilantro) roots, cleaned
• 10 cm stick fresh lemongrass (20 g), chopped coarsely
• 1 small red onion (100 g), chopped coarsely
• 2 tsps salt
• 2 fresh small red chillies
• 4 clove garlic, peeled
• 2 tsps ground coriander
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp paprika
• ¼ cup (35 g) macadamias
• 2 tsps brown sugar
• 250 ml water

Steps

01. Place noodles in a medium heatproof bowl; cover with boiling water. Stand for 1½ mins or until almost tender; drain.

02. Meanwhile, cook laksa paste in a large heavy-based saucepan over medium heat, stirring, for 3 mins or until fragrant. Stir in coconut milk and 1½ cups (375 ml) water; bring to a simmer over medium heat.

03. Add tofu puffs to laksa mixture with gai lan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, for 2 mins until gai lan is just tender.

04. Divide noodles and laksa mixture among bowls. Scatter with sprouts, fried shallots, chilli and coriander. Serve with lime wedges.

05. VEGETARIAN LAKSA PASTE

Blend or process ingredients until mixture forms a paste.

Photo: bauersyndication.com.au