RECIPE

Tofu, Green Bean and Shiitake Salad

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4

Cookbook author Nancie McDermott (Real Thai) explains that this style of fiery, tangy, chopped Thai salad is called yum. Thai diners generally eat it on lettuce leaves in a café or restaurant while deciding what to order for their meal.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • MAKE-AHEAD
  • STAFF-FAVORITE

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. 1/2 pound firm tofu, halved crosswise
    2. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
    3. 1 tablespoon Asian fish sauce
    4. 3 tablespoons soy sauce
    5. 2 teaspoons sugar
    6. 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
    7. 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    8. 3 garlic cloves, minced
    9. 1/4 pound shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, caps sliced 1/2 inch thick
    10. 1/4 pound very fresh green beans, sliced on the diagonal into 1/3-inch lengths
    11. 3 scallions, minced
    12. 1 medium shallot, minced
    13. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
    14. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped mint
    15. 4 Boston lettuce leaves

Directions

  1. Put the tofu on a rimmed baking sheet and top with another baking sheet. Set 2 large, heavy cans on the sheet and press the tofu for 30 minutes. Drain the tofu and cut it into 1/2-inch dice.
  2. In a small bowl, stir the lime juice with the fish sauce, 1 tablespoon of the soy sauce, the sugar and the crushed red pepper.
  3. In a medium skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic and cook over moderately high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the shiitakes and cook, stirring, until softened, about 1 minute. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of soy sauce and cook over moderate heat until the shiitakes are tender, about 4 minutes longer.
  4. Transfer the shiitakes to a medium bowl. Add the diced tofu, raw green beans, scallions, shallot, cilantro, mint and the dressing and toss. Spread the lettuce leaves on a platter. Spoon the salad over the leaves and serve.