Cilantro Scented Tofu Rice Salad Food

RICE NOODLE SALAD WITH CRISPY TOFU AND LIME-PEANUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the rice threads in a large bowl and cover with hot water. Let sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.
• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes and add 1 tablespoon peanut oil, canola oil or rice bran oil. When the oil is hot, add the tofu and saute on both sides until golden brown. Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Cut in matchsticks.
• Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add salt to taste if desired. Drain the noodles and add to the boiling water. Boil 1 minute, then drain, rinse briefly with cold water, and using a scissors, cut into manageable lengths. Transfer to a salad bowl and add the tofu, red pepper, chives, cilantro, lettuce and half the peanuts.
• Whisk together all of the dressing ingredients in a small bowl or measuring cup. Pour over the noodles and toss together. Sprinkle the remaining peanuts over the top and serve.

CILANTRO LIME GRILLED TOFU

Steps:

• Place the block of tofu onto a plate and place another plate on top. Set a 3 to 5 pound weight on top (a container filled with water works well). Press the tofu for 20 to 30 minutes, then drain off and discard the accumulated liquid. Slice the tofu lengthwise into 4 thick slabs or cut into cubes and thread on skewers. Place tofu pieces or skewers on a plate.
• Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Brush the tofu with the marinade. Cover the plate with plastic wrap, and marinate tofu in the refrigerator for 2 hours or overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat, and lightly oil the grate. Grill the tofu until almost blackened in spots, brushing occasionally with the marinade, about 10 to 15 minutes.

BROILED TOFU WITH CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat broiler and lightly oil a shallow flameproof baking pan with olive oil.
• Cut each block of tofu crosswise into 6 slices and pat dry between several layers of paper towels. Arrange in 1 layer in baking pan and brush tops of slices with more olive oil. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat, without turning, until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• While tofu is broiling, purée cilantro, pine nuts, lime juice, fish sauce, sesame oil, sugar, remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until bright green and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Transfer tofu with a slotted spatula to a platter and serve with cilantro pesto.

CILANTRO RICE

Steps:

• In a large heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium high heat.
• Add onion and cook 2 minutes.
• Add jalapeno and garlic, cook 2 to 3 minutes, until onion is soft and beginning to color.
• Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until grains turn translucent, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Pour in broth and 1 can water and bring to a boil.
• Stir in chiles and salt.
• Cover, reduce heat to low and cook 15 to 17 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender.
• Stir in cilantro just before serving.

CILANTRO SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk all the vinaigrette ingredients together in a small bowl. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
• In a salad bowl, combine all the salad ingredients. Add a little bit of the vinaigrette and toss to coat. Serve the remaining vinaigrette on the side.

CILANTRO RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook rice according to package directions, either on stove top or in rice cooker.
• Once rice is cooked, transfer to a large bowl and allow to cool, tossing with a rubber spoon until at room temperature.
• Wisk together ingredients for the dressing: oil, vinegar, salt and pepper in a bowl.
• Fold tomatoes, onion, cilantro and olives into the cooled rice.
• Add vinaigrette and toss to combine.
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• **Notefor Leftovers: Leftover rice salad can be tossed with a can or two of white tuna, drained and flaked.
• Makes a nice lunch!

RICE SALAD WITH CILANTRO VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine rice, beans, peppers and cilantro. Combine the remaining ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well. Pour over rice mixture and toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving.

TOFU RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Marinate tofu in soy sauce, garlic, ginger and cayenne pepper for 30 minutes to 24 hours (alternatively, marinate in a favourite szechuan, teriyaki, or stir fry sauce).
• Whisk rice vinegar, olive oil, and pepper together.
• Steam broccoli and snow peas briefly until tender-crisp.
• Toss everything together and refrigerate until cold.
• (You can use any vegetables you like, just steam the harder ones to tender-crisp).

CREAMY CILANTRO TOFU DRESSING

Steps:

• Place the tofu, lime, garlic, shallot, mustard, cilantro into food processor with metal blade and blend till pureed.
• Combine the water to prcessor while machine is still running, follow with the oil salt and pepper. Serve immediately on your favorite salad or grilled meat.

TOFU WITH GINGER-CILANTRO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat grill to medium. In a food processor, combine cilantro, 1/4 cup oil, jalapeno, ginger, lime juice, and scallions. Blend until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
• Brush tofu with remaining 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Lightly brush grates with oil. Grill tofu, turning halfway through, until charred in spots, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from grill and brush with ginger-cilantro sauce. Serve with remaining sauce on the side.

CILANTRO-SCENTED TOFU RICE SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the tofu into 1/3 inch thick slices and drain in a colander for 15 minutes.
• Crumble to tofu in small pieces and place in a mixing bowl.
• Add the rice, cilantro, cucumber and carrots, tossing evenly.
• Combine the dressing ingredients in a blender and process until well mixed.
• Pour the dressing into the tofu/rice mixture and toss to coat evenly.
• Let the flavors blend for 20 minutes in the refrigerator.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, garnish with toasted pumpkin seeds if desired.
• Put the lettuce leaves on 4 plates; evenly divide the rice and place on top of the lettuce.
• Sprinkle the onion over each salad and serve.