Chilled Asian Inspired Noodle Salad

Chilled Asian Inspired Noodle Salad

Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Draining Tofu 30 minutes
Course Main Course, Salad
Servings 12

Ingredients
  

Salad

  • 1 small head cabbage red or green
  • 1 bunch carrots
  • 1-2 cucumbers
  • 2 blocks tofu extra firm
  • 1 package soba noodles
  • 1 package rice noodles

Salad Dressing (makes 1 cup)

  • ¼ cup soy sauce or tamari
  • 2 tablespoons toasted seasame oil
  • ¼ cup rice vinegar
  • 2 inches ginger grated
  • 3 cloves garlic grated

Marinade for Tofu

  • Is the same as the Salad dressing

Instructions
 

Pressing Tofu to remove excess water

  • Stand tofu on the longside edge and cut down the middle, giving yourself 2 thinner slabs of tofu
  • Place on a pizza pan or cooling rack (something with holes) with a towel underneath
  • Place paper towels or another towel on top of tofu and then place something flat on top, like a cookie sheet
  • Add lots of weight on the cookie sheet to create a press. I usually add pots of water or books as weight
  • Let sit for 30 minutes
  • Remove weights and cut into thirds, both directions, making nice squares
  • Put in a bowl add spices and oil and gently mix with your hands
  • Let sit in the marinade while the oven heats up

Baking Tofu

  • Heat oven to 400 degrees
  • Put down parchment paper on a cookie sheet
  • Arrange tofu so it’s not touching
  • Cook for 20 minutes on one side
  • Flip over and cook for another 10 minutes

Salad

  • Slice the cabbage, carrots, and cucumber into bite size pieces
  • Prepare noodles according to package instructions
  • After the noodles are cooked place in cold water
  • Prepare salad dressing in a mason jar
  • Mix vegetables, noodles, tofu and dressing together

Notes

  • Optional add-ins: green onions, peppers, seasame seeds
  • The tofu is time consuming, make at least two blocks, allowing you to serve mulitple times
  • Make a large bowl, this will sit well in the fridge for a week
Keyword cabbage, carrots, cucumbers