Herb-y Crispy Tofu Salad

Though she may look simple she is full of flavour and umami.

Quick weekday lunch. To make it even simpler the crispy tofu can be easy be made in the oven. At 400° with a quich spray of oil of choice (I prefer avocado oil) for 25 to 30 minutes and flipping them at the half-way mark. This recipe feeds 2, if you have more folx just double or tiple the amount you need.

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Ingredients

• 1 block of firm tofu
• 3 teaspoons cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons shiitake mushroom powder
• 1/4 cup highsmoke point oil (avocado or grapeseed)
• quarter red onion
• 1/4 cup mint leaves
• 1/2 cup basil
• 1/4 cup cilantro
• 2 tablespoon mustard oil
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 lemon

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Directions

1. Drain your tofu and press it with a tofu press (if you have one) or lay it on a racked baking tray, if you don’t have that just wrap your tofu in a double layer of disposable kitchen towels and lay it on a flat plate.
2. Take another flat plate and put it on top of the tofu so all the retaining water from the tofu squeezes out.
3. Make sure the plate is upside down (as in the bottom of the plate should be facing you) and put a heavy item like a wood chopping board or cans on the top of the plate so it helps the water drain.
4. Let the tofu drain for about 15 minutes, while you prep your other ingregents.
5. Thinly slice the red onion, pluck the mint, basil and cilantro leaves — feel free to leave them whole.
6. Once the water has drained, cut the tofu into 1 inch cubes, about 2 centimeters thick.
7. In a bowl or edged plate add the cornstarch and mushroom powder — dredge the tofu peices in the cornstarch and mushroom mix and set it aside.
8. Pour the oil into a non-stick or a carbon steel pan and once hot shallow fry the tofu cubes. About 2 minutes each side.
9. Let the tofu rest and make the vinaigrette.
10. In a medium bowl add in the mustard oil, grated garlic clove, the juice of half a lemon and a big pinch of salt. Whisk the vinagrette into oblivion.
11. Add in the onion and all the herbs and dress them before adding in the tofu and toss.
12. Pair it with some jasmine rice or enjoy by itself.