Vegan Summer Three-Bean Salad With Tofu and Soy Vinaigrette
- Total Time
- 1 hour
- Rating
- Notes
- Read community notes
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Ingredients
- For the tofu-soy vinaigrette:
- 1cup silken tofu
- Ā½cup soy sauce
- 2tablespoons sugar
- 2tablespoons sambal oelek chili paste
- 2tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 1tablespoon sesame oil
- 1cup canola oil
- For the radishes and beans:
- 1pound radishes, preferably a mix of different kinds, trimmed and thinly sliced
- Salt
- 2pounds fresh beans, preferably a mix of three kinds, such as green, yellow wax, and Romano, or haricot verts, snow peas and sugar snap peas, trimmed
- For the tofu croutons:
- 4cups vegetable oil, or as needed
- 2tablespoons cornstarch
- Ā½pound firm tofu, patted dry and cut into Ā½-inch cubes
- Salt
- 1 to 2tablespoons black sesame seeds, lightly toasted
- 1 to 2tablespoons white sesame seeds, lightly toasted.
Preparation
- Step 1
For the tofu-soy vinaigrette: In a blender, combine the tofu, soy sauce, sugar, sambal oelek, vinegar and sesame oil. Blend until smooth. With the motor running at medium-low speed, slowly add the canola oil; the vinaigrette will become very thick. May be covered and refrigerated for up to a week.
- Step 2
For the beans and radishes: Prepare two bowls of ice mixed with water. Place the sliced radishes in one of the ice baths. Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to boil. Add the beans and boil until they are crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Drain under cold water, then place in the remaining ice bath to chill. Drain well and set aside.
- Step 3
For the tofu croutons: Pour oil into a wok or small deep-fryer over high heat, and heat to 350 degrees. Meanwhile, put cornstarch into a wide, shallow bowl, and add tofu, tossing gently to coat. Working in batches, if needed, deep-fry the tofu until golden and crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Season with salt, and set aside.
- Step 4
Drain the radishes well, and place in a large bowl. Add blanched beans, and toss to mix. Add vinaigrette to taste, reserving any excess for another use. Mix well, and season with salt to taste. To serve, place in individual serving plates or bowls, top with tofu croutons, and sprinkle with black and white sesame seeds.
Private Notes
Cooking Notes
Isn't 3-bean salad always vegan? Tofu is an interesting addition, I suppose, but it doesn't make 3-bean salad any more or less vegan.
I'm always on the lookout for good vegetarian ideas, but something just didn't work. I can't pinpoint it. The fried tofu is a idea that I'll use again thought!
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