Miso Noodles with Bean Curd Steaks

Serves 2

• Stock:
  • 4-5 dried shiitake mushrooms soaked in 3 cups hot water
  • 2 tbsp mirin
  • 2 tbsp light/regular soy sauce
  • 1-2 tbsp tianjin preserved vegetables (optional)
  • brown rice miso paste to taste

• Carrots:
  • carrots, cut into small matchsticks
  • 1-2 tbsp fresh ginger
  • dried chilli flakes (as much or as little as you'd like)
  • 2 tbsp dried coconut
  • oil (preferably peanut / groundnut)

• Misc:
  • two blocks of dried noodles (ramen work)
  • spring onions, cut lengthways
  • ½ a purple onion, sliced thinly

• Tofu steaks (method 1):
  • firm tofu
  • soy sauce
  • vegetarian worcestershire sauce
  • sesame oil
  • wasabe powder

• Tofu Steaks (method 2):
  • firm tofu
  • mirin
  • soy sauce
  • ginger
  • liquid smoke
  • oil

1. For the the stock, soak four or five dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water for at least 20 minutes. The water will turn light brown in colour. Once brewed, either discard the mushrooms or use them to add to the noodles later (they're yummy). Add mirin, soy sauce, and preserved vegetables. Don't add the miso paste until just before you're ready to serve the meal. Don't boil the broth once the miso is added because it can spoil the flavour and kill the beneficial enzymes contained in the paste.
2. Slice tofu blocks into ½ inch "steaks" and marinate in preferred sauce (or some of both, whichever you prefer) for 5-10 minutes. Bake slices in a 200 C oven for about 20 minutes on each side, so 40 minutes total.
3. Meanwhile, boil the noodles for a few minutes, until cooked. Drain and keep in cold water until ready to use.
4. About 5 minutes before the tofu slices are due to be finished, stir fry carrots in oil with ginger, chilli , and coconut. I like carrots to be quite crunchy, but if you prefer them to be more well done then you need to give yourself longer than the auggested 5 minutes.
5. When bean curd slices are cooked, bring the stock to a medium heat and incorporate miso paste. Add noodles.
6. Dish noodles and broth up in a large bowl and top with carrots, spring onion, and tofu slices.