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Salad Dressing - 3 tablespoons vegetable oil - 2 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through a garlic press (about 2 teaspoons) - 5 tablespoons rice vinegar - 2 tablespoons miso - 1 tablespoon honey - 1 minced jalapeno or serrano (to taste) Salad - 1 medium head napa cabbage (about 1 pound), shredded (about 6 cups) - 2 bell
peppers: red, yellow or orange, cut thinly - 3/4 cup unsalted peanuts - toasted and crushed - 4 scallions, sliced thin - 1/2 cup whole fresh cilantro leaves - 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves |
Tofu - 2 – 14
oz blocks extra firm tofu sliced into 1 inch thick slabs and each slab 1 inch
wide - 1 cup
cornstarch - 1/3 cup
corn meal - Salt
and pepper to taste - 3/4 cup
vegetable oil |
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Prepare the Tofu: (1) Spread the tofu out over several layers of paper towels and let sit to drain slightly, about 20 minutes. Adjust an oven rack to the middle position, place a paper towel–lined platter on the rack, and heat the oven to 200°F (93°C). (2) Place a wire rack over a baking sheet and set aside. Toss the cornstarch and cornmeal together in a shallow dish. Season the tofu with salt and pepper. Working with a few pieces of tofu at a time, coat them thoroughly with the cornstarch mixture, pressing on the coating to adhere, then transfer to the wire rack. (3) Heat
the oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Carefully lay half of the tofu in the skillet and cook, turning the pieces
occasionally with a spatula, until crisp and lightly golden on all sides,
about 4 minutes. Using a spatula, gently lift the tofu from the oil, letting
any excess oil drip back into the skillet, and transfer to the prepared
platter in the oven. Repeat with the remaining tofu pieces and transfer to
the platter in the oven. Discard any oil left in the skillet and wipe it out
with a wad of paper towels. Make the salad (4)
Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl and set aside. Make the dressing: (5). Add the oil to the skillet and return to medium heat until shimmering. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Whisk in the vinegar, miso sauce, honey, and peppers, and bring to a brief simmer, about 15 seconds. (6). Off the heat, measure out and reserve 2 tablespoons of the dressing. Pour the remaining dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss to combine. Divide the cabbage between four plates and arrange the warm tofu over the top. Spoon the reserved dressing over the tofu before serving. |
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