Ingredients:
- 14 oz extra-firm tofu, pressed and sliced into strips
- 2 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp toasted sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp neutral oil
- 8 sheets Vietnamese rice paper wrappers
- 2 oz thin rice vermicelli noodles, cooked and cooled
- 1 cup carrots, julienned
- 1 cup cucumber, julienned
- 1/2 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
- 1 small red chili, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 4 tbsp warm water
Instructions:
- Whisk together soy sauce, maple syrup, sesame oil, and minced garlic in a bowl. Toss the tofu strips in the mixture and let marinate for 10 minutes.
- Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tofu strips until they develop a mahogany-colored crust on both sides, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside to cool.
- Prepare the vegetables by julienning the carrots and cucumbers into matchsticks and slicing the cabbage into paper-thin ribbons.
- Boil the rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions, drain, and allow to cool completely.
- Create the peanut sauce by whisking together peanut butter, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, lime juice, and sriracha. Gradually stir in warm water until the desired consistency is reached.
- Dip one sheet of rice paper into a bowl of warm water for 2 seconds until moistened but not overly soft. Lay it flat on a clean surface.
- Place a piece of seared tofu, a small bunch of noodles, and a handful of julienned carrots, cucumber, cabbage, mint, cilantro, and chili in the center of the wrapper.
- Fold the bottom of the wrapper over the filling, fold in the sides, and roll tightly upward to seal.