A bowl of Tofu salad with Napa cabbage, snap peas and Mandarin oranges.

Tofu salad with sesame-ginger dressing

This refreshing salad can be a light meal or side.

A bowl of Tofu salad with Napa cabbage, snap peas and Mandarin oranges.
Tofu salad with sesame-ginger dressing

This Asian-inspired salad is delicious as a side dish or a main dish paired with brown rice.

Servings: 4

Prep time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup white rice vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 2 teaspoons finely minced gingerroot
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons sesame oil
  • Dash of ground white pepper
  • 2 teaspoons canola oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger root
  • 1 cup 1/2-inch cubes silken extra-firm tofu
  • Dash of freshly ground black pepper
  • 24 snow peas, stems, and strings removed
  • 6 cups coarsely shredded Chinese cabbage (Napa cabbage)
  • 4 ribs bok choy, coarsely chopped; include green tops
  • 3 medium scallions, finely chopped
  • 1 cup canned Mandarin orange sections, drained

Directions

  1. Bring a medium pot of water to a boil over high heat.
  2. In a small bowl, whisk together the first 8 ingredients to make the dressing. Make certain the sugar is dissolved. Adjust the seasoning to taste and set dressing aside.
  3. Heat the canola oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in the minced garlic and ginger root. Add the tofu cubes and cook until they are lightly browned, about 2 minutes on each side. Sprinkle with pepper. Use a slotted spatula to transfer the tofu to a plate. Set aside to cool.
  4. Blanch the snow peas by immersing them for about 30 seconds in the pot of boiling water. Pour into a colander and rinse under cold running water. Shock in a bowl of ice water until the cubes melt, drain well.
  5. Toss together the Chinese cabbage, snow peas, bok choy, and scallions in a large mixing bowl. Whisk the dressing. Add half to the salad and toss again.
  6. Divide the salad mixture among 4 individual serving plates. Arrange the tofu and mandarin orange sections on top. Whisk the remaining dressing and drizzle over the salads. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition information (per serving)

  • Calories: 154
  • Total fat: 13.5 g
  • Saturated fat: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg
  • Sodium: 318 mg
  • Total carbohydrate: 16 g
  • Dietary fiber: 4 g
  • Total sugars: 9 g
  • Protein: 8.1 g