Hearty and Delicious Tofu and Onion Salad
Elevate Your Tofu and Onion Salad with a Savory Soy Sauce Dressing and Dumplings! A Healthy Tofu Dish for Dieting.
I made a soy sauce dressing to enjoy this tofu and onion salad. I remembered I had some dumplings at home and added them to the dressing, which made it even more delicious.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 block firm tofu
- 1/2 onion
- A little cooking oil (for pan-frying tofu)
Soy Sauce Dressing Ingredients- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (for color and mild heat)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 dumplings (filling only)
- 3 dried red chili peppers (peperoncino or other dried chilies, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp water
- 1 tsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of red pepper flakes (for color and mild heat)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- A pinch of black pepper
- 2 dumplings (filling only)
- 3 dried red chili peppers (peperoncino or other dried chilies, adjust to spice preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Thinly slice half an onion and soak it in cold water for about 10 minutes. This step mellows the sharpness of the onion, making it milder and more pleasant to eat. Drain the onion thoroughly before using.
Step 2
Cut half a block of tofu into bite-sized cubes. Heat a little cooking oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Pan-fry the tofu cubes until golden brown on all sides. This will give the tofu a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender.
Step 3
Let’s make the delicious soy sauce dressing! In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp regular soy sauce, 2 Tbsp water, 1 tsp plum extract, 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, a pinch of red pepper flakes, a pinch of sesame seeds, and a pinch of black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined.
Step 4
Microwave the 2 dumplings until slightly heated. Carefully open the dumpling wrappers and scoop out only the filling. Finely mince the dumpling filling and add it to the soy sauce dressing. Stir well. The savory flavor of the dumplings will add a wonderful depth to the dressing.
Step 5
Gently press the 3 dried red chilies (peperoncino) with your fingernail or the back of a knife to break them slightly. This helps release their flavor and mild heat into the dressing. If you prefer less spice, reduce the number of chilies or omit them. Add the broken chilies to the soy sauce dressing.
Step 6
Pour the prepared soy sauce dressing into a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Stirring is crucial to ensure the dressing doesn’t burn. Simmering helps to meld the flavors and slightly thicken the dressing.
Step 7
Now it’s time to assemble the salad! Arrange the pan-fried tofu cubes and the drained, sliced onions attractively in a serving bowl. Drizzle the warm, simmered soy sauce dressing generously over the top. Gently toss the tofu and onions with the dressing before serving, or serve the dressing on the side. Enjoy your healthy and flavorful Tofu and Onion Salad!
