Kitsune Udon Bake

Kitsune Udon Bake is a comforting vegetarian dish that combines chewy udon noodles with sweet, savory tofu and a creamy sauce, all baked to perfection. This warm, hearty meal encapsulates the essence of Japanese home cooking and is perfect for sharing.

Ingredients

• Udon noodles - 200 grams
• Firm tofu - 150 grams, cubed
• Soy sauce - 3 tablespoons
• Mirin - 2 tablespoons
• Dashi powder - 1 teaspoon (or vegan dashi)
• Vegetable broth - 200 ml
• Miso paste - 1 tablespoon
• Green onions - 2 stalks, chopped
• Carrot - 1 medium, julienned
• Mushrooms (shiitake or enoki) - 100 grams, sliced
• Sesame oil - 1 tablespoon
• Panko breadcrumbs - 50 grams
• Nori (seaweed) - 1 sheet, cut into strips
• Black sesame seeds - 1 teaspoon

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Cook the udon noodles according to package instructions, then drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat sesame oil over medium heat. Add cubed tofu and sauté until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the julienned carrot and sliced mushrooms to the skillet and cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, mirin, dashi powder, miso paste, and vegetable broth until well combined.
6. Pour the sauce over the tofu and vegetable mixture in the skillet, and stir to combine. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
7. In a large baking dish, combine the cooked udon noodles with the tofu and vegetable mixture. Toss gently to combine.
8. Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top of the noodle mixture.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden and crispy.
10. Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped green onions, nori strips, and black sesame seeds before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 20 g
• Carbs: 80 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in plant-based protein from tofu.
• Contains a variety of vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals.
• Low in cholesterol, making it heart-healthy.

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