Sesame Noodle Salad with Tofu

1. 1Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the noodles, stir to combine, and cook according to the package directions. Drain, rinse under cold water until the noodles are cool, and drain again; set aside.
2. 2Heat the oil in a medium frying pan over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the tofu and sear without moving until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Flip the tofu cubes and sear until the other side is golden brown, about 3 to 4 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, remove the tofu to a large paper-towel-lined plate and season with salt and pepper.
3. 3Reduce the heat to low and add the ginger, measured sesame oil, garlic, and red pepper flakes to the pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until fragrant but not browned, about 30 seconds. Remove the pan from the heat, add the soy sauce and sugar, and stir until the sugar has dissolved.
4. 4Scrape the ginger mixture into a large heatproof bowl with a rubber spatula. Add the scallions and lemon juice and stir to combine. Add the reserved noodles, reserved tofu, bell pepper, and cucumber and toss to combine. Taste and season with more sesame oil as needed.

Beverage pairing: Clean Slate Riesling, Germany. This wine results from a partnership between German and American interests, hence the comprehensible, non-Teutonic name. But it’s simple: Pure citrus, ginger, and mineral notes make it a perfect match for the noodle salad, and its hint of sweetness means that you can ramp up the chile as much as you want.