Shira Ae (Japanese Creamy Tofu Salad)

Adapted from Just Hungry.

Ingredients

1. 100g firm tofu
2. 1 tsp sesame paste (nerigoma or tahini)
3. 1 tbsp white sesame seeds
4. 1 tsp sugar
5. 1 tsp white miso
6. Pinch of salt
7. Vegetables

Instructions

1. In a frying pan, toast sesame seeds until light brown. Let cool.
2. Drain tofu by pressing between several layers of paper towels and weighing down with a heavy object. Leave for about 20 min.
3. Using a food processor/mortar and pestle, grind the sesame seeds to a powder.
4. Crumble the drained tofu.
5. Add the tofu, sesame paste, miso, salt and sugar to the sesame seeds powder and mash until smooth and combined.
6. In a bowl, combine the tofu mixture with vegetables of your choice (eg carrots, konnyaku, broccoli).
7. Serve immediately.

Cherry Tomato Salad with Tofu and Shiso

From Momofuku Cookbook. Momofuku's riff on the classic Italian caprese salad (mozzarella, tomato, green basil, seasoned with olive oil and salt).

Ingredients

1. 12 ounce silken tofu, drained
2. 2 pints mixed cherry tomatoes
3. 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
4. 1 tbsp light soy sauce
5. 1 tsp sesame oil
6. 1/2 cup oil
7. Salt
8. Black pepper
9. 6 shiso leaves, sliced

Instructions

1. Using a ring mold, cut the silken tofu to obtain 8 rounds of tofu.
2. In a large saucepan, add water and salt and bring to a boil.
3. In a large mixing bowl, prepare an ice bath.
4. Cut a tiny X in the bottom of about 2/3 of the tomatoes.
5. Drop the tomatoes into the boiling water in batches, and after 10s, remove them and transfer to the ice bath.
6. Remove the skins from the tomatoes and place the tomatoes in a bowl, and refrigerate for 10 min.
7. Cut the remaining 1/3 of the tomatoes in half. 
8. In a mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil and oil and stir. 
9. Add in the halved tomatoes and toss to coat.
10. To serve, place 2 pieces of tofu in each bowl. Top each portion with tomatoes, and season with salt, black pepper and shiso leaves.