Seared Sesame Tofu With Asian Salad Recipes

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.

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.

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.