Tofu Salad (Pan-Seared Tofu on Fresh Greens)

Name: Tofu Salad (Pan-Seared Tofu on Fresh Greens)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 8 min
Total time: 23 min
Yield: 2 servings
Cuisine: Korean
Ingredients: firm tofu 300 g; mixed baby greens 80 g; cherry tomatoes 120 g; cucumber 80 g; red onion 40 g; soy sauce 1.5 tbsp; lemon juice 1 tbsp; sesame oil 1 tbsp; olive oil 1 tbsp

Quick answer

Total time: 23 min
Level: Easy
Servings: 2 servings
Ingredients: 9

About this dish

Pressed for 20 minutes and seared until golden on each side, the tofu goes onto the salad still warm, a crisp-edged contrast to cool baby greens, cucumber and cherry tomatoes.

The soy sauce, lemon and sesame oil dressing brings enough salt and acidity that the tofu itself needs no separate seasoning. Only the vegetables get dressed, with the tofu sitting on top so its browned surface stays dry until the first bite.

Ingredients

servings

IngredientAmount

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Instructions

6 steps

1

Wrap 300 g firm tofu in two layers of paper towels, set a small weight on top, and press for about 20 minutes.

If the surface still looks wet, pat it dry again so it browns instead of steaming.
2

Slice 40 g red onion thinly, soak it in cold water for 5 minutes, then drain well.

Cut the cucumber into 0.5 cm half-moons so it keeps some crunch and mixes evenly with the greens.
3

Rinse 80 g baby greens in cold water, then shake off or drain away as much water as possible.

Halve 120 g cherry tomatoes and keep them separate so the salad does not become watery before dressing.
4

Cut the tofu into bite-size pieces and preheat a pan over medium-high heat.

Add 1 tbsp olive oil, lay the tofu in one layer, and sear each side for about 3 minutes until the edges turn golden.
5

In a small bowl, mix 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tbsp sesame oil.

Stir until the salty, tart, and nutty flavors are even, then taste a drop before adding it to the vegetables.
6

Drizzle the dressing over the greens, cucumber, tomato, and drained onion first, then toss gently with your hands or tongs.

Place the warm tofu on top and serve right away before the crisp surface softens.