"I have a huge affinity for Italian cooking," says Sean Baker. "I just love tonnato [tuna] sauce and wanted vegans to feel the same way about it as I did." To evoke the briny flavor of tuna, Baker adds a variety of seaweeds to a puree of tofu and olive oil. More Vegan Dishes
How to Make It
In a small heatproof bowl, soak the wakame in the boiling water until softened, about 5 minutes. Drain, rinse and press out any excess water; pat dry. Transfer the wakame to a mini food processor and add the tofu, capers, garlic, miso, mustard, nutritional yeast and lemon juice. Process to a paste. Add the olive oil and process until fairly smooth; the wakame won't break down completely. Season the sauce with salt and pepper.
Light a grill. Brush the corn with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over high heat, turning, until tender and lightly charred all over, about 5 minutes. When the corn is cool enough to handle, cut the kernels from the cobs into a medium bowl. Add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil, the lemon juice and basil and season with salt and pepper.
Spread the sauce on plates and top with the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon the corn salad over the tomatoes and garnish with the shredded nori.
Make Ahead
Notes
Suggested Pairing
Beer Light lager-style beers, like pilsners, make great food accompaniments because they're subtly hoppy and incredibly refreshing; they're especially good with summery salads like this one. Try Pennsylvania's Victory Prima Pils. When it comes to wine, a rich Chardonnay is terrific with sweet corn.
Pairing Note Not all wines and beers are vegan (that is, made without using products such as gelatin). For details, contact the producers directly.
