Cashew Noodle Salad with Miso-Ginger Grilled Tofu Skewers

Cashew Noodle Salad with Miso-Ginger Tofu Skewers

I am a huge fan of the Cashew Noodle Salad at Whole Foods.  It is super delish.  That said, I think this homemade version is even better!

When I was writing my cookbook Simply Grilling, I asked my friend Justin Fox Burks (who was also my photographer for the book as well as author of the fabulous food blog www.theChubbyVegetarian.com) for a tofu recipe.  I knew tofu was tasty when grilled but I don’t have much experience cooking with it. Since Justin is my go-to guy for all things vegetarian, I knew he would have a great recipe for me. Little did I know, I would actually be getting two great recipes in one!

Let’s start with the Tofu.

Tofu on its own tends to be pretty bland.  Justin recommended that I marinate it in something very flavorful … like the Miso-Ginger marinade in this recipe. Other than the red miso paste and mirin, all the ingredients were items I already had on hand.  Luckily the miso and the mirin have a good shelf life, so I was able to find other uses for these Asian ingredients.  (Eggplant is excellent when marinated in miso by the way! There is a recipe for it in Simply Grilling.) A plus for this recipe, the marinade gets a second life as a sauce to brush over the cooked tofu. Nothing goes to waste.

Justin also passed along an invaluable tip about grilling and searing tofu … Lightly dusting tofu in cornstarch prevents it from sticking.  Worked like a charm!

Oh … and be sure to get the extra-firm tofu when grilling it.  Otherwise it will fall apart on the grill.

Now for part two of the recipe … the Cashew Noodle Salad.

As I mentioned before, I am a huge fan of the version at Whole Foods.  It’s a meal in itself or a tasty side. I had heard about Justin’s homemade version from friends, and was thrilled when I saw it in this recipe. It couldn’t be an easier to make and I think his version has more flavor and kick. (Must be that Sambal chili paste!) If it isn’t devoured right after making it, it does last for a several days in the fridge.

So, my first “Meatless Monday” recipe is really a two-for-one deal!  Make them together or separately.  But be sure to give them a try!

Enjoy!

Cashew Noodle Salad with Miso-Ginger Tofu Skewers

From Simply Grilling by Jennifer Chandler

For the Cashew Noodle Salad:
1 cup cashews
1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons Sambal chili paste
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup mirin
1/4 cup rice vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/2 pound spaghetti or soba noodles, cooked per package directions and cooled

For the Miso-Ginger Tofu Skewers:
1 tablespoon red miso paste
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
3 tablespoons mirin
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon sugar
2  tablespoons water
Dash of sriracha
1 block (14-ounce) extra firm tofu, cut into 1-inch cubes
Vegetable oil, for the grates
Skewers (if using bamboo, soak in water for 30 minutes)
Corn starch, for dusting

To make the Cashew Noodle Salad: Place the cashews, soy sauce, sambal, sesame oil, mirin, rice vinegar, and garlic into a food processor and pulse until smooth.  Place the noodles in a large bowl. Add the cashew sauce and sliced scallions. Toss to until well coated. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make the Miso-Ginger Tofu Skewers: In a shallow nonreactive dish just large enough to hold the tofu in a single layer, stir together the miso paste, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, mirin, ginger, garlic, sugar, water, and sriracha. Place the tofu in the marinade and gently toss until well coated. Cover, place in the refrigerator, and marinate for at least an hour or as long as overnight.

Preheat a clean grill to medium-high with the lid closed for 8 to 10 minutes. Lightly brush the grates with oil.

Remove the tofu from the marinade. Shake off the excess and pat dry. Thread the tofu onto the skewers. Lightly dust with the cornstarch.

Strain the marinade and place into a small pot over medium-high heat to reduce.

Allow mixture to reduce by half or until slightly thickened.

Place the tofu on the grill. Close the lid and cook until golden brown, about 4 minutes on the first side. Turn over and lightly brush with the reduced marinade. Cook an additional 4 minutes. Remove from the grill and brush again with the marinade.

To serve, place the tofu skewers on top of the cashew noodle salad.

Serves 4.

Cooking Tip: Lightly dusting the tofu skewers on both sides with corn starch will help prevent sticking and allow the reduced marinade to cling to the tofu.

Food Fact: Miso paste is a traditional Japanese seasoning made from fermented soybeans. There are two main varieties available: Red (aka) or White (shiro). Look for it in the Asian foods or refrigerator sections of your local market.

Do-Ahead: The cashew noodle salad will last up to a week covered and refrigerated. In fact, it is one of those dishes that some say tastes even better the second day.

Vegetarian and Vegan.

The photo was taken by the talented Justin Fox Burks.

Soft Shell Crabs

Soft Shell Crabs … if you have never had them, now is the time to give them a try!

Soft shell crabs are one of my favorite treats. They are only available for a couple of months each year – usually late April through June or July. Soft shell crabs are crabs that have just molted. Their shell is soft … allowing them to be eaten whole. No more need to pick out that coveted meat from a hard shell!

Soft shell crabs fresh from the Gulf are now available. I picked some up last weekend at my local farmers market. Each week Paradise Seafood drives fresh Gulf seafood up from the coast to sell at the Memphis Agricenter Farmers Market and the Memphis Farmers Market downtown. Living in Memphis, we are lucky that the Gulf coast is within driving distance.  If you live no where near a coast line, no worries. You can find soft shell crabs throughout the country at gourmet seafood markets. Just ask your fishmonger.

Soft shell crabs are ideally purchased live so they are at their freshest. Store live soft shell crabs uncovered in the fridge over a bed of wet paper towels for no more than one day. Live soft shell crabs will need to be cleaned. It is a really simple process but a necessary one.  Cooking Light Magazine has an excellent post with step by step instructions. Click here.

If you do have to buy frozen crabs, they have probably already been cleaned. Defrost them overnight in the refrigerator before cooking. Fresh is best but the frozen ones are a close second.

I find the best way to enjoy this seasonal treat is sautéed with a simple dusting of cornmeal.  No need for a deep fryer or heavy batter. Whip up a quick homemade remoulade sauce and from start to finish your soft shell crabs can be on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Enjoy!

Sautéed Soft Shell Crabs with Remoulade Sauce

For the Remoulade Sauce:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely sliced scallions

For the Soft Shell Crabs:
8 soft shell crabs, cleaned
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup cornmeal
4 tablespoons olive oil

To make the Remoulade Sauce:

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the scallions. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make the Soft Shell Crabs:

Season both sides of the crabs with salt and pepper. Place the cornmeal in a shallow bowl. Working in batches, lightly dredge both sides of the crabs in the cornmeal, shaking off the excess.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil until a few droplets of water sizzle when carefully sprinkled in the pan. Sear the crabs on one side until lightly browned and soft, about 2 to 3 minutes. Turn over the crabs and cook until desired doneness, about 2 to 3 more minutes. Serve warm with a spoonful of the remoulade sauce.

Serves 4.

Do-Ahead: The remoulade dipping sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until just before serving.

Honey-Lime Corn Slaw

This is one of my favorite go-to summer slaws.  The sweet corn paired with the honey lime vinaigrette makes for a light and refreshing side. 

If fresh corn is not available, substitute frozen corn kernels.  Frozen corn kernels have a fresher taste and crunchier texture than the canned variety.

Enjoy!

Honey-Lime Corn Slaw
From Simply Salads by Jennifer Chandler

This light and piquant slaw is the perfect accompaniment for Southwest-flavored chicken and meats.  I also like to use it to garnish fish tacos.

For the Honey-Lime Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:
1 bag (10 ounce) Angel Hair Cole Slaw
3 ears fresh corn, shucked
1 red bell pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, coarsely chopped
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the Honey-Lime Vinaigrette:
In a small bowl whisk together the lime juice, honey, and oil until well combined.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the salad:
Place ears of corn in a medium-size pot of boiling salted water.  Cook until tender, about 5 to 6 minutes.  Drain, rinse with cold water to stop cooking, and set aside until cool enough to handle.  Using a small knife, carefully slice kernels off the cob; discard cobs.  Place kernels in a large salad bowl.

Add the slaw, red bell peppers, scallions, and cilantro and toss.

Add the honey-lime dressing to taste and toss to coat.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Makes 6 side salads

Cooking Tip: To avoid flying kernels, stand cob upright in the bottom of a deep bowl.  Carefully slice corn off into the bowl.

Blackened Catfish

If you like a little kick in your food, blackening should be in your cooking repertoire.

It is so easy. It really isn’t a cooking technique at all … but instead is the use of a spicy seasoning.

Blackened seasoning is a fiery mixture of herbs and spices.  You can always pick up a pre-made blend at your local market. But if you would like to make your own blackened seasoning, it’s really not hard to do.  Just whisk together 2 teaspoons paprika and 1/2 teaspoon each of dried thyme, cayenne pepper, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. For a little less heat, reduce the amount of cayenne and black pepper. (This mixture will store for several weeks, tightly sealed, in your spice cabinet.)

Delicious on fish or chicken, I like to generously season the meat with the blackened seasoning and then either sear it in a skillet over the stove-top or grill it.

This recipe is the basic technique for blackening fish. Feel free to substitute chicken or your favorite fish for the catfish. Tilapia, salmon, and swordfish all taste delicious blackened.

Enjoy!

Blackened Catfish

In Memphis (my hometown), Soul Fish Café may be known for its fried catfish, but my favorite item on their menu is the blackened catfish.  This is my homemade version along with the not-so-traditional remoulade they serve on the side to cut the heat.

For the Remoulade Dipping Sauce:
3/4 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons ketchup
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon finely sliced scallions

For the Blackened Catfish:
4 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)
4 tablespoons blackened seasoning
2 tablespoons olive oil

To make the Remoulade Dipping Sauce:

In a medium mixing bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir in the scallions. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

To make the Blackened Catfish:

Season both sides of the fish with the blackened seasoning. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm the oil until a few droplets of water sizzle when carefully sprinkled in the pan. Sear the fish on one side until the meat is well browned and releases easily from the pan, about 4 to 5 minutes. Turn over the fillets and cook until desired doneness, about 5 more minutes. Serve warm with a spoonful of the remoulade dipping sauce.

Serves 4.

Do-Ahead: The remoulade dipping sauce can be made up to 3 days in advance. Cover and refrigerate until just before serving.

Chinese Chicken Salad with Peanut Dressing

I love peanut butter!

Whether in a dessert, paired with chocolate (Mr. Reese’s was  genius in my book), in a PB & J sandwich, I just can’t resist it. (I have to admit most often I just eat it by the spoonful straight from the jar!)

When most people think of peanut butter, they think of dessert or the classic children’s sandwich, but did you know that peanut butter is absolutely wonderful in savory dishes?

When I was writing my book Simply Salads, one of the first dressings that came to mind was a peanut dressing I had once enjoyed at a restaurant.  

The cloyingly sweet peanut butter makes a delicious sauce when paired with Asian-cuisine staples such soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and fresh ginger. 

Peanut sauce is also very versatile. In addition to a salad dressing, I often use it as a marinade for grilled chicken or shrimp, or as a dipping sauce for veggies, spring rolls or chicken satays.

Which peanut butter to use?  I developed this recipe using good old Jiff creamy peanut butter. Crunchy peanut butter works fine as well; the sauce will just not be as smooth. If you want to use natural or freshly-ground peanut butter, you may want to add a little extra honey.

So … Peanut butter lovers beware.  The dressing in this colorful and tasty salad is addictive.

Enjoy!

Chinese Chicken Salad with Peanut Butter Dressing
From Simpy Salads by Jennifer Chandler

For the Peanut Dressing:
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh peeled ginger
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon honey
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1/2 cup canola oil
A pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

For the salad:
1/2 cup Peanut Dressing
1/2 cup fresh snow peas
1 bag (5 ounces) Spring Mix salad blend
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
2 carrots, peeled and shredded on the large holes of a traditional grater
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts
2 limes, quartered, for garnish

For the Peanut Dressing:
In a small bowl whisk together the vinegar, peanut butter, ginger, soy sauce, honey, sesame oil, canola oil, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

For the salad:
Bring salted water to a boil in a medium pot. Add snow peas and cook until vibrant green and crisp tender, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain the peas and immerse in an ice water bath to stop the cooking process. Drain again and place in a large salad bowl.

Add the salad blend, chicken, carrots, scallions, cilantro, and peanuts and toss. Add the dressing to taste and gently toss to coat. Garnish with lime wedges.  Serve immediately.

Tip: To save time, pick up a roasted rotisserie chicken at your local grocery for this recipe. The meat will be fresh, juicy, and flavorful. 

Makes 4 dinner salads