Ingredients
For the Tofu:
- 8 oz tofu
- 2 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 small head romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
- ½ English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 small head red cabbage, shredded
- 1-2 green onions, sliced
- ½ cup carrot, shredded
- ¼ cup roasted peanuts
- 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
- 1 lime, for serving
For the Dressing:
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp tamari
- 2 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp honey
- ¼ tsp garlic, minced
- ½ tsp ginger, minced
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
Instructions
- Prepare the tofu: Start by draining the tofu well to remove as much moisture as possible. Pat it dry thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel, then cut the tofu into bite-sized ½-inch cubes for even cooking and crispiness.
- Chop the vegetables: While the tofu drains, prepare the salad ingredients by roughly chopping the romaine lettuce, thinly slicing the English cucumber, shredding the red cabbage and carrot, and slicing the green onions. Place all the chopped vegetables into a large salad bowl.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl or cup, whisk together the rice vinegar, tamari, sesame oil, honey, minced garlic, minced ginger, and sesame seeds until the dressing is smooth and fully combined. Set it aside to let the flavors meld.
- Pan-fry the tofu: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a skillet over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the tofu cubes in a single layer. Cook them for approximately 6 to 7 minutes, turning occasionally, until they become golden brown and crispy on all sides. Season the tofu with salt, pepper, and a few dashes of hot sauce while cooking for a spicy kick. Remove the tofu from the skillet and set aside.
- Assemble and serve: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad vegetables in the bowl. Add the crispy tofu on top and toss everything together gently to coat evenly. Serve the salad bowls with lime wedges for squeezing, sprinkle with chopped cilantro, and garnish with roasted peanuts for extra texture and flavor. Enjoy your fresh, vibrant, and spicy tofu salad bowl!
Notes
- Ensure the tofu is pressed and dried well to achieve maximum crispiness when frying.
- You can adjust the amount of hot sauce in the tofu and dressing according to your preferred spice level.
- Substitute tamari with soy sauce if you are not gluten-sensitive.
- This salad is great for meal prep; keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to maintain crispness.
- For a nut-free version, omit the roasted peanuts or substitute with seeds like pumpkin or sunflower.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Asian-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian