The Best Damn Tofu Salad + A Giveaway!
I’m sorry for cursing but I had to get your attention.
Because let’s be real, ain’t nobody gonna get excited over a tofu salad, meh.
BUT…if it’s the BEST damn tofu salad you’ve ever had in your entire life then you might feel a little different, yes?
Let’s hope so because I promise you it’s worth trying!
It’s actually inspired by an amazing local Bay Area restaurant called Spice Kit. The owners are a couple of retired chefs who worked in fine dining restaurants, such as the renowned French Laundry in Napa, and decided that they wanted to try something a little more laid back. With that in mind, they decided to create a relaxed and casual restaurant that serves up the most delicious Asian Street Food.
It’s not a sit down and be served kind of place. You have to order at the counter and tell them what you want but even still, the quality is top notch. Think Chipotle meets Asian cuisine.
They have three locations in the Bay Area and I was lucky enough to discover one in the East Bay a few months ago in San Ramon. The first thing that caught my eye on their menu was the salad made with organic mixed greens, cucumber, radish, jicama, mango and peanuts. I ordered it with their soy braised tofu and sesame vinaigrette and UGH, it was love at first bite.
I’ve gone back for that salad more times than I can count because I love it so much.
Then recently Nasoya reached out to me to try their ready-to-eat baked tofu (like sesame ginger!), and I knew exactly what I was going to make it with.
All I did was chop up their Sesame Ginger Tofu into squares and sauté it in a pan, then added it on top of the greens with the other veggies and whipped up a super simple sesame vinaigrette made from rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, and tamari.
The salty flavors of the tamari and the peanuts pair wonderfully with the sweet mango and the richness of the sesame oil. Then the crisp radishes, jicama, and cool cucumber give it amazing texture. It really is the best!
I’m excited to try all of the other flavors Nasoya sent me and I’m even more excited for YOU to try them too because they’re going to send one of you the same gift package they sent me which includes all of the varieties pictured below!
All you have to do is leave a comment telling me which flavor you’re most excited to try and I’ll pick a winner one week from today! **THE GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED. THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO ENTERED!**
Ingredients
8 ounces Nasoya Sesame Ginger Tofu*
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 teaspoon reduced-sodium tamari
5 ounces organic mixed greens
1 small mango, sliced into thin strips
4 ounces jicama, sliced into thin strips
4 radishes, thinly sliced
1/2 medium-size cucumber, thinly sliced
1/4 cup roasted and salted peanuts
Sesame Vinaigrette
4 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium tamari
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Instructions
- Warm a large skillet over medium heat and lightly grease with olive oil. Cut the tofu into 1-inch cubes then add it to the skillet along with one teaspoon of tamari. Cook for about 7 minutes, tossing frequently with a spatula, until golden brown on the edges.
- Meanwhile prepare the dressing by combining all three ingredients in a small bowl and whisking together.
- Then make the salads by distributing the greens onto two large plates. Top each with radishes, cucumber, mango, jicama and peanuts.
- Once the tofu is done, divide it among both salads. Top with desired amount of dressing and enjoy!
Notes
*Nutrition facts are for this recipe with plain tofu. Please adjust according to whatever type of marinated tofu you use.
Yum!! I can’t wait to try the chipotle, I hope they start to carry it at my grocery store!
Well, you certainly got my attention because I’d totally eat that salad dead…like 5 times a week! I have limited experience cooking with tofu, but love the way it turns out when it’s all pan-skilleted up with teriyaki sauce…the sear…the flavor…just so tasty! I must action this salad lickety split!
that tofu looks incredible!
Chipotle… Maybe then I’d be able to get my husband to eat tofu!
Yum! The sesame ginger sounds like it would make an amazing stir fry!
This salad really does look really damn good. I would love to try the chipotle flavor!
haha you got my attention!! This salad looks awesome! Tofu is one of those things that I’ve come to really enjoy but am slightly afraid of making it myself lol I need to put on my big girl pants and go for it!
Chipotle sounds divine!
Chipotle for sure!
I think the sesame ginger sounds delish!
Sesame Ginger!
I’d say it’s a toss up between sesame ginger and teriyaki. Sounds great.
I would love to try the sesame ginger. I haven’t done much with tofu, but having it pretty much ready to go sounds great. Then, maybe, I could venture out and try other flavors or just plain. I’m really going to look for this in the grocery.
Thanks
Sesame ginger sounds yummy!
Oooh that tofu looks great! I’m always very wary about making my own tofu dishes, but I love how they pre-make the flavors :)
I’m most excited to try the chipotle one but they all look yummy!
I defintiely noticed the ‘damn’ in the title. I was all “oooo… ballsy” ;) I like it. But I’m one of those strange people that doesn’t even mind the taste and texture of raw tofu, so I -do- get excited about tofu salad. And I love how you used jicama in this one! Definitely a veggie I don’t get enough of.
I know, jicama is so underrated!
I am most excited to try the chipotle flavor – how unusual!
Sesame ginger – yum!
Love all the flavors! I love everything about tofu and this salad looks fabulous :)
That looks like a perfect light dinner!!!!
I can’t wait to try the SESAME GINGER tofu! Sounds amazing! Can’t go wrong with does two flavors
Being from Santa Fe, NM, I would love to try Chipotle. I am very particular about my smoked jalapeños. I cook alot from New Mexican red and Hatch green chili’s. I would enjoy creating new recipes with this new tofu concept. If not chosen, i look forward to infusing chipotle with tofu on my own. Thank you for your inventive meals. When not working, (in a resturant) my threapy is based in the kitchen and I enjoy your passion. It inspires me, to create new idea’s and reinvent our palate….( also my fiance has lost 20 pounds and 10 myself in the past 2 months since being introduced to your site) Thank you, and keep them coming!
Your comment totally made my day, Sara. Thank you! And I wish I could be in your kitchen while you cook to learn a thing or two about cooking with chilis!
I ALWAYS get excited about tofu. It’s one of those foods that I know other people don’t like, but I really just don’t get it. I saw the baked tofu a couple of weeks ago and wasn’t sure if it was worth the extra price (when I could just do that myself, right?) but really, this salad comes together so ridiculously fast, I see the value. No waiting for a hour while I press my tofu. Just a delicious salad in a hurry.
Chipotle?! What a fun flavor! Looks like a lovely vegan meal you’ve made!! :) Glad you love it!!
I love Asian flavors – especially paired with tofu – so I would love to try the sesame ginger!
Would love to try the Sesame Ginger tofu! Love your recipe, I want to try it sometime!
Call me crazy, but I love the texture/flavor of tofu. Even just plain baked tofu! So I love the way this salad looks!
Sesame Ginger! :)
Sesame ginger looks amazing. Love tofu
Hi Sarah! I just came across your blog, and oh how fantastic your recipes are! Your photography and creations are so nourishing and delightful. I especially adore this recipe – tofu is one of my favorite proteins and this bowl looks so incredibly delicious! I love the mango, what a sweet flavor addition. I am slowly coming around to jicima – I think it has such a lovely crunch, but sometimes I am at a loss for the flavor incorporation. Great recipe, glad to have found you! :)
Hi Danielle! Thank you for the kind words. I’m happy you found me too! :)
Oooh fun! Sesame ginger tofu sounds good to me! Also, want to hear something kinda weird? I’m kind of afraid of silken tofu… I’m not sure why, but anytime I see a smoothie/dessert/anything recipe with silken tofu, I’m all, “Whew yea never mind, not making that.” So this would also be my chance to get over the fear! Ha.
Hmm, teriyaki for sure! I love that it is organic too!
The sesame ginger sounds sooo good. Also excited to try their silken tofu!
I am so looking forward to the teriyaki flavor! I plan on making an Asian salad with it.
I can’t seem to resist chipotle anything. So chipotle is the one for me!
Sesame Ginger
I want to try sesame ginger.
Oh your recipe has me DROOLING. I really want to try the sesame ginger. Thanks for the recipe and giveaway!
I think the Chipotle flavor sounds yummy, but I would love to try all the flavors.
I would love to try the new chipotle baked tofu! I really like the two other varieties, too!
I want to try the chipotle flavor.
I would like to try the baked Teriyaki tofu.
I would love to try the sesame ginger, then I could make this recipe!
I would love to try the Chipotle flavor!
I’d love to try the Chipotle!
sesame ginger sounds yummy!
I’d love to try the sesame ginger