Stir-Fry Inspired Salad

This Stir-Fry Inspired Salad is the result of my first “Black Box Challenge” in Rouxbe’s Professional Plant-Based Certification program. The challenge I was given was to make a side dish, soup, or salad using a leafy green and a starchy vegetable. We had to use two different knife cuts and one cooking technique. I decided to make a salad inspired my favorite spicy peanutty stir-fry, using julienned vegetables and baked, cubed tofu. Home-baked tofu is about a hundred times better than store-bought baked tofu, and this sauce is better than anything I’ve ever poured from a bottle. (If I do say so myself.) I’m happy to say that received 100% on the assignment – and I got to eat this tasty dish as my reward to doing well.

This Stir-Fry Inspired Salad is hearty enough to be a meal on it’s own, and it’s a perfect light dish for dinner on a summer’s evening.

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Stir-Fry Inspired Salad

Yields 2 -4 servings

Author Dianne Wenz

Ingredients

Tofu:

• 16 ounce container extra firm tofu drained
• 1 tablespoon tamari
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon water

Dressing:

• 5 tablespoons natural creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon tamari sauce
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced
• 2 teaspoons agave nectar
• 1 teaspoon garlic chili paste
• 1 garlic clove minced

Salad:

• 1 head romaine lettuce shredded, about 4 – 5 cups
• 2 cups napa cabbage shredded
• 2 cups mung bean sprouts
• 1 red bell pepper julienned
• 2 carrots julienned
• 2 scallions sliced
• ¼ cup toasted peanuts chopped

Instructions

1. Press the tofu. If you have a tofu press, place the tofu in it for about 15 minutes. If not, line a plate or cutting board with a towel and place the tofu on top of it. Place a plate on top of the tofu and then place something heavy on top if it, such a thick book or a few cans of beans. Press for 15 to 30 minutes.
2. Drain the liquid off the tofu. Cut the tofu into cubes, about 1”.
3. Preheat your oven to 400° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Mix together the sesame oil, tamari, rice vinegar and water. Marinade the tofu in the mixture for about 15 minutes. Toss the tofu occasionally so all sides absorb the liquid.
5. Place the tofu on the baking sheet. Bake for 10 minutes and then flip the cubes. Bake for another 10 minutes and flip the cubes to an unbaked side. Bake for another 10 minutes and remove from the oven. Set aside to cool.
6. While the tofu is baking, mix all of the ingredients together in a blender.
7. Mix together the lettuce, cabbage, sprouts, bell pepper, and carrots.
8. Divide the salad mixture between 2 (or 4) plates. Top with the dressing, tofu, peanuts and scallions. Enjoy!