Summer Smoky Tofu Lettuce Tomato (Printable)
Golden spiced tofu meets crisp lettuce, juicy tomatoes, and zesty dressing in this refreshing summer bowl.
# What You Need:
→ Tofu
01 - 14 oz firm tofu, pressed
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
04 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
05 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
06 - 1/2 tsp salt
07 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Vegetables
08 - 1 head romaine or butter lettuce, washed and torn into bite-size pieces
09 - 3 medium ripe tomatoes, sliced or chopped
10 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
11 - 1 avocado, sliced
12 - 1 small cucumber, sliced
→ Dressing
13 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
14 - 2 tbsp lemon juice
15 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
16 - 1 tsp maple syrup
17 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Garnish
18 - 2 tbsp fresh chives or parsley, chopped
# How To Cook:
01 - Cut the pressed tofu into 1/2 inch thick slices or cubes for even cooking.
02 - In a bowl, toss the tofu with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
03 - Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Add the tofu and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and lightly crisp. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
04 - In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, avocado, and cucumber.
05 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, maple syrup, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
06 - Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
07 - Top the salad with warm smoky tofu pieces. Sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve immediately.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The warm spiced tofu against cold crisp lettuce creates this incredible temperature contrast that wakes up your whole palate
- It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant patio
02 -
- Don't skip pressing the tofu, I learned the hard way that water logged tofu will steam instead of sear
- The maple syrup isn't for sweetness, it balances the acidity and helps the dressing coat every leaf
03 -
- Cook the tofu in two batches if your pan is crowded, overlapping pieces steam instead of crisp
- Massaging the lettuce with a tiny bit of olive oil before dressing makes it silkier and less watery