CHOPPED SALAD WITH SEASONED TOFU STRIPS

Chopped Salad With Seasoned Tofu Strips image

I like to serve baked seasoned tofu strips warm on top of the salad. They are delicious cold, too; it is worth making up a separate batch for the refrigerator. If you have an assortment of leftover vegetables, throw them in here!

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Time 30m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 16

Ingredients

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon minced or grated fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 pound firm tofu
1 romaine heart, chopped
5 cups mixed chopped or diced vegetables, such as green or red cabbage, celery (from the inner heart), red bell pepper and radishes (sliced or chopped)
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (more to taste)
1 serrano pepper, seeded and minced (optional)
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/4 cup tofu marinade, above
2 tablespoons canola or peanut oil
1/3 cup low-fat buttermilk or plain nonfat yogurt

Steps:

Marinate the tofu: combine the soy sauce, mirin, rice vinegar, ginger and sugar in a 2-quart bowl. Whisk in the sesame oil and combine well. Drain the tofu and pat dry with paper towels. Slice into 1/3-inch thick slabs and cut the slabs in half lengthwise to get strips approximately 1/3 inch thick by 3/4 inch wide. Blot each strip with paper towels. Add to the bowl with the marinade and gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes to an hour, or for up to a day.
Meanwhile, heat the oven to 375 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment. Lift the tofu out of the marinade and arrange the pieces on the parchment-covered baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, until the edges are just beginning to color and the marinade sets on the surface of the tofu. Remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, combine all of the salad ingredients. Whisk together the dressing ingredients and toss with the salad. If desired, transfer to a platter. Garnish with the tofu strips and serve.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 398, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 26 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 947 milligrams, Sugar 8 grams