As I’ve said, I hate using recipes. In theory, they are fantastic. I love to read cookbooks cover to cover. I rarely, however, have a recipe in front of me when I’m cooking (baking is an entirely different story). This salad was inspired by a salad I clipped out of a magazine some time ago (not sure which magazine — searched it, if you know, tell me!) and I believe it was a Mark Bittman recipe. But again, I clipped this information off. Anyhow, I won’t post the original recipe, only my adaptations. This one really surprised me (in an amazingly delicious way).
Spicy Tofu and Beef Salad
- Ingredients:
- 1 container firm tofu, drained and cubed
- romaine lettuce, about 2 heads, rinsed and chopped
- 1/2c each copped mint leaves and chopped basil leaves
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded, sliced
- 1 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4c lime juice
- 1 tbsp Thai fish sauce
- 2 tsp dark sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 serrano pepper, minced
- 8oz. skirt steak, trimmed and cut into thin strips
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Putting it Together
- Combine lettuce, mint, basil, cucumber, and onion in a large bowl.
- Combine lime juice and all ingredients through serrano pepper. Whisk them together. Toss half of this dressing with the lettuce mix.
- Heat a skillet. Add peanut oil. Brown the tofu and beef with the salt and the pepper. Remove pan from heat. Add the remaining dressing to the pan to deglaze. Add this mixture to the lettuce mixture and toss.
**Again, if you know what magazine this came from, let me know — I’d like to link to the original. **
This salad really brings the HEAT. It’s great and unexpectedly spicy… like the slow burn kind of spicy. The mixture would also probably be great as little wraps in Bib lettuce or something. It tastes even better the next day – just don’t add the tofu/beef mixture if you plan to refrigerate for later. Keep in a separate container so the salad doesn’t get soggy.
Do you like to use recipes when you cook? Any favorite salad “recipes” for me to try during salad month?
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Check out the other two salads from salad month: Laziest (and Tastiest) Falafel Salad, and the At-Home Pump Salad.
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Have you checked out my running book club? Here’s my review of Personal Record: A Love Affair with Running by Rachel Toor. I’ll be reviewing What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami the first Friday in July, if you want to join in!
