Pumpkin, fried tofu and coconut laksa
This laksa relies heavily on fragrant makrut lime leaves to really lift it from ordinary to extraordinary. Skip the fish sauce for a vegan- and vegetarian-friendly version of the creamy, spicy soup; it gets a protein boost from the tofu, and the caramelised pumpkin gives a gorgeous mouthfeel.
Ingredients
Kaffir lime pumpkin
500g pumpkin, deseeded (optional), sliced thickly
6 makrut lime leaves, deveined, roughly chopped
1½ tbsp ricebran oil
2 cloves garlic, crushed
juice of 1 lime
1 tbsp fish sauce (or soy sauce, if vegan/vegetarian)
1 tbsp palm sugar
Laksa soup
½ cup (70g) quality store-bought laksa paste (check ingredients list for dried shrimp if vegan/vegetarian)
2 cups (500ml) vegetable stock
2 x 400g cans coconut milk
juice of 1 lime
6 makrut lime leaves, deveined and finely chopped
250g rice noodles, cooked according to packet instructions
Additions
150g tofu, cut into 5cm cubes
½ cup rice bran oil
2 baby bok choy, quartered and washed thoroughly
To serve
Thai basil leaves and flowers, Vietnamese mint, extra shredded makrut lime leaves
Method
Preheat oven to 200C.
For the pumpkin, add all ingredients to a bowl and toss to combine until the pumpkin slices are evenly coated. Place on a tray and roast for 35 minutes or until cooked through and golden. Set aside.
While the pumpkin is roasting, start the soup. Place a nonstick frying pan over medium heat. Add the laksa paste and cook until it begins to separate and becomes intensely fragrant. Add the lime leaves and cook for another 30 seconds before adding the remaining ingredients, except rice noodles. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 20 to 30 minutes to allow the flavours to build.
While the soup is simmering prepare the tofu. Add the oil to a saucepan over high heat. When the oil ripples and begins to shimmer, add the tofu pieces and fry quickly, turning with tongs until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.
To serve, divide the soup among four bowls. Add the bok choy so it cooks lightly in the soup (rather than turning into a soggy mess). Top with noodles and slices of pumpkin. Add a few tofu pieces per serve and garnish with herbs and fresh lime leaves.
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Katrina Meynink is a cookbook author and Good Food recipe columnist.
