This Spicy Peanut Tofu Rice Salad + Twirl of Avocado is a rockstar salad - easy to whip up in a flash for lunch or dinner. The spicy peanut flavors that infuse the dressing and tofu are bold and cravable. The vibrant green twirl of creamy, buttery avocado slices compliment the rustic, nutty brown rice and protein-rich chilled tofu cubes doused in the bold peanut sauce. A fluffy bed of mixed spring greens lays the foundation to this sassy meets elegant salad feast.
Craving spicy peanut sauce flavors? This salad is one to try..
The secret is in the sauce. The star of this feast is the spicy peanut sauce. Super bold flavors from savory tamari, salty-bright white miso paste and plenty of rich peanut butter. Peppery cayenne and black pepper add spice. Sweeten things up with a splash of agave.
Substitutes. You can sub the agave with maple syrup - the cayenne with chipotle or another spicy chili powder - the tofu with steamed tempeh - and the tamari with soy sauce if need be.
Spicy Peanut Tofu Rice Salad + Twirl of Avocado
serves 2 entree/large portions (or 3 for smaller portions)
Spicy Peanut Miso Sauce / Dressing:
2 tablespoon peanut butter
1 tablespoon white miso paste
2 teaspoon agave syrup
½ cup water
2 teaspoon tamari
3-4 dashes cayenne powder (to taste for heat)
5 cups spring greens mix (spicy greens variety for me)
½ avocado, sliced long
½ cup firm tofu, chilled/cubed
1 cup cooked brown rice
chopped cilantro - garnish
chopped peanuts - garnish (optional)
dashes of pepper + cayenne over top to serve
Nutrition Facts:
per serving - 2 servings (entree size)
calories: 380kcal, fat: 18g, carbs: 42g, protein: 15g
iron: 14%, calcium: 16%, vitaA: 15%, vitaC: 12%
Directions:
1. Add all ingredients for dressing to Vitamix or food processor. Blend until smooth. You can adjust peanut amount to modify richness of sauce - will effect nutrition data.
2. Cook your rice. For easy and quick lunches I love the pre-cooked frozen brown rice packs. I just pop one in the microwave for hot, steamed brown rice in seconds.
3. Dice your tofu. Toss the chilled tofu with the hot brown rice to soften it a bit. Then add in a few spoonfuls of the peanut sauce and toss. Do a taste test. Add in more sauce to taste.
4. Add greens to serving bowl. Slice avocado over top. Arrange in a twirl.
5. Scoop peanut tofu rice over top avocado.
6. Add additional dressing to greens as desired. Add garnish of fresh cilantro + peanuts over top. Add a few dashes of cayenne and pepper over top to serve.
StephM says
Added red cabbage to this and it was LOVELY. Thanks Kathy!
Brei P says
I don't really care for tofu or tempeh and I might use quinoa instead of brown rice but this looks fabulous!! Thank you for this! 😀
Hanna Confer says
This was the best salad I have ever had. I added a bit of rice vinegar and Sriracha to the dressing and it was amazing. I will be making this dressing all the time now. You continue to be my favorite blog ever...
Veronica says
Looks delicious, I might make this for dinner! You guys have a great collection on foodgawker, definitely going to refer to there more often!
Meri Pezzoni says
Hi Kathy- Del and I have just started a vegan diet.... Your site w/pictures is so inspirational..... Too bad we didn't have your expertise on our Choir field trips.... Hope you are well, you look great!
XO Meri
B says
First time to the site. Sold, bookmarked, telling all my veggie and non-veg friends about it. !!! .......love!!!
Kathy Patalsky says
Yay 🙂
Danielle says
Do you think I could substitute the peanut butter with cashew butter? 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Yes! Or any nut butter even. Great idea if needed!
Danielle says
Perfect, thanks Kathy! Unfortunately I recently developed a peanut-allergy, so I'm pleased to have the option to substitute with another nut butter. 🙂
Allie says
I made this yesterday for lunch and have been thinking about it and craving it ever since. It was seriously the best thing I've ever eaten!! The flavor combination of peanut-avocado-tofu-rice was incredible! I have to make it for dinner again tonight!!! Soooo good! This is my first recipe I've had from your blog, and I'm sold. You are an amazing chef! THANKS!! I'll definitely be making more of your recipes in the near future. --Allie
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂
SpeakinDaFacts says
Thats it....I am sold onto this site. Awesome looking recipes!
OrganiKooK says
Kathy your brilliance never ceases to amaze! This looks like an awesome combo!
Eve-Marie says
Loved this! I served it over spinach. I think next time I'll try it warm to let the spinach wilt... yum!
Heather Poire says
This sounds and looks amazing- but I do love anything that involves peanut butter!
Caroline Labalie says
Looks delicious! And thank you for the substitute list, I never have all the ingredients I need!
Ksenija says
what an amazing recipe! another one for my take-to-work lunch collection. also quite cheap and easy to prepare - thanks for that.
ALexia@NamasteYoga says
so simple yet so perfect and delicous! you basicaly just throw ingredients together in a bowl and top it with a fabulous dressing! mhmm thats what i usually do for lunch too! Have to try yor dressing!!
Roxanne says
Can I leave out the hot spices altogether? And use non-hot spices like paprika? I don't like "hot" LOL
Flubitz says
I'm sure you can leave them out, but a tiny bit of cayenne doesn't come off as hot, just intensifies the flavor, you should try it in a small amount of the salad and see. I don't like obvious hot either, it drowns out the rest of the taste.
Katrina @ Warm Vanilla Sugar says
This is the prettiest thing I've seen all day! Love it!
Mikella080 says
What a perfect looking salad! I am so happy I found your blog 🙂
Honeyandnectarblog says
This looks so colorful and delicious!