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Thai Tofu Larb with Bean Sprouts and Fresh Herbs

Crumbled tofu tossed with lime, tamari, chilli, red onion and toasted ground rice, then piled with fresh mint, coriander and Thai basil onto warm bean sprouts. A zingy vegan Thai salad with 30g of protein.

Lunch

25

Serves 2

A plate of crumbled tofu larb with red onion, coriander and Thai basil on a bed of bean sprouts, with a bowl of tofu larb and a tub of fresh basil behind

Ingredients

  • 1 x 280g (10oz) block extra-firm tofu, drained and patted dry
  • 15g/1 tbsp uncooked white rice (sticky or jasmine)
  • 2 tsp (10ml) rapeseed (canola) oil
  • 2 cloves garlic (about 8g), finely chopped
  • 1 small red onion or 2 shallots (about 60g/2oz), thinly sliced
  • 200g/7oz bean sprouts
  • 2 spring onions (scallions, about 20g/¾oz), sliced
  • 20g/a large handful mixed fresh mint, coriander (cilantro) and Thai basil leaves
  • Half to 1 tsp dried chilli flakes
  • For the dressing
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) lime juice (about 1 lime)
  • 4 tsp (20ml) reduced-salt tamari (labelled gluten-free)
  • 1 tsp (5g) maple syrup

Method

  1. Toast the rice in a dry frying pan (skillet) over a medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, shaking the pan, until golden. Cool, then grind to a coarse powder with a pestle and mortar or spice grinder.
  2. Mix the dressing ingredients with the chilli flakes in a large bowl.
  3. Crumble the tofu into small pieces. Heat the oil in the pan over a medium-high heat and cook the tofu for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring, until golden in places. Add the garlic for the last minute.
  4. Tip the hot tofu into the dressing with the red onion and spring onions and toss well.
  5. Put the bean sprouts in the hot pan with a splash of water and stir-fry for 2 minutes, until steaming hot all the way through. (Only eat bean sprouts raw if the pack says they are ready to eat.)
  6. Toss the herbs and most of the toasted rice through the tofu. Pile onto the bean sprouts, scatter with the rest of the toasted rice and serve straight away. Leftover larb keeps in the fridge for up to 2 days; add fresh herbs before eating.

Why it works

A plate gives you about 30g of protein and only 18g of carbohydrate for 363 calories, with most of the protein from the tofu.

What larb is. Larb is a minced meat salad from Laos and north-eastern Thailand, dressed with lime, chilli and fish sauce and full of fresh herbs. This vegan version uses crumbled tofu and tamari instead.

The toasted rice matters. Ground toasted rice (khao khua) is traditional in larb. It adds a nutty flavour and crunch and soaks up the dressing.

Why it is tagged for blood sugar. With plenty of protein and a base of bean sprouts instead of noodles or rice, this salad is unlikely to cause a sharp rise in blood sugar. Bean sprouts are low in calories and add crunch.

Bean sprout safety. Raw bean sprouts have been linked to food poisoning outbreaks, so cook them until steaming hot all the way through unless the pack says they are ready to eat. Contains soya. For another Thai dish, try the Thai basil chicken or the crispy sesame tofu with broccoli.