Spinach And Tofu Salad With Japanese Sesame Miso Dressing Food

SPINACH AND TOFU SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Slice tofu into 1-inch-by-2-inch pieces about 1/4-inch thick and place in a deep bowl or on a platter.
• Make the marinade: In a medium bowl, whisk together soy sauce, sesame oil, vinegar, sake, brown sugar, ginger and cayenne. Pour marinade over tofu slices to coat well. Leave in marinade for at least 15 minutes. (You may marinate the tofu up to 24 hours in advance.)
• While the tofu marinates, pick over spinach leaves and remove any tough stems. Swish the spinach in a deep bowl of cold water. Lift leaves from water into a colander. If you see any sand in the water, repeat up to 3 times, using fresh water each time. Drain well and dry spinach, then wrap in a kitchen towel and refrigerate until ready to use. (You may wash the spinach up to 24 hours in advance.)
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, brown sugar, sesame oil, vegetable oil, soy sauce, miso, garlic and ginger.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and arrange the tofu pieces in a single layer. Spoon remaining marinade over tofu. Bake, uncovered, for 15 to 20 minutes, until slightly crisped. Remove and leave at room temperature.
• To make the salad, arrange spinach in a low, wide salad bowl or on a deep platter. Scatter cucumber, daikon and edamame over spinach, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and peanuts. Tuck slices of tofu here and there.
• Sprinkle a pinch of salt over everything, then drizzle salad with dressing and serve.

TOFU AND SPINACH SALAD SPICY MISO DRESSING

Steps:

• In a blender cup, add vinegar, soy sauce, miso, sambal oelek, sugar and gari. Blend until smooth. Slowly drizzle in both oils. Check for seasoning. Pour dressing into a bowl and fold in scallions. Toss the spinach with the dressing.
• Plating: Place a ring mold in the center of a plate. Make a napoleon by alternating layers of tofu and spinach. Remove ring and drizzle with more dressing. Garnish with gari and sesame seeds.

SPINACH WITH SESAME AND MISO

Steps:

• Heat a wok or frying pan and add the sesame seeds.
• Stir over medium-high heat until they are lightly toasted.
• Cool the seeds and crush them with a mortar and pestle or food blender.
• Mix with miso and sugar.
• Wash the spinach and drain well.
• Heat a wok or frying pan and add the oil.
• Stir-fry the spinach and drain well.
• Heat a wok or a frying pan and add the oil. Stir-fry the spinach just until it collapses.
• Remove from the wok; Stir in the miso and sesame paste into the spinach.
• Serve hot or cold.