Seared Sesame Tofu With Asian Salad Food

SEARED SESAME TOFU WITH ASIAN SALAD

Steps:

• Mix chopped green onions, sliced bell pepper, and bean sprouts in medium bowl. Mound vegetables on 2 plates. Place sesame seeds on small plate. Dredge tofu slices in sesame seeds to coat on all sides. Heat 2 tablespoons roasted garlic oil in heavy medium skillet over medium heat. Add tofu and cook until rich golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Divide tofu between 2 plates, leaning tofu against vegetable mounds. Add remaining 2 tablespoons garlic oil to same skillet. Add minced ginger; sauté 1 minute. Add rice vinegar; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Drizzle tofu and vegetables with pan sauce.

SESAME TOFU SALAD

Steps:

• To make the dressing: Put the soy sauce, vinegar, ginger, brown sugar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, garlic and 2/3 cup of the olive oil into a blender. Blend until completely emulsified. Taste the dressing and adjust to your taste, adding more vinegar or sugar as needed. Pour half of the dressing into a jar and refrigerate for the salad.
• Put the tofu cubes into a bowl and pour over the remaining dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour.
• Remove the tofu from the dressing and pat dry. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the tofu on all sides until nicely browned and crisp, about 10 minutes. Toss in the sesame seeds and cook for another minute. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate.
• To assemble the salad, put the mixed greens, halved tomatoes and sliced onion in a large bowl. Pour on half the remaining dressing, reserving the rest for later use. Toss to coat. Arrange the tofu and mandarin oranges all over the greens. Serve immediately.

TOFU AND HERB SALAD WITH SESAME

Steps:

• Make the sauce: In a small bowl, put ground sesame seeds, lime, ginger, chile, sesame oil and soy sauce. Add yogurt and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper. (If necessary, thin with a little water.) Set aside.
• On individual plates, arrange watercress, parsley and cilantro, then the mixed herbs. Scatter cucumber slices here and there. Top with the tofu cubes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle sauce over each plate, and garnish with sesame seeds, if desired.