It is June now, which in my mind marks the official start of summer. And nothing says summer in Seattle quite like 50 degree temps, jeans and hoodies, and still running the heat at night, right?
At least our meals feel summery. I’ve been trying to get creative and find good uses for all the fruits and veggies arriving from our new produce delivery! This salad came almost entirely from the farms – lettuce, strawberries, and avocado all delivered to our doorstep. And basil from the new planters on my back porch. Convenience at its best!
Strawberry, Avocado, & Tofu Summer Salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients (2 large dinner salads)
-
1 head read leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn
-
20 strawberries, sliced
-
1 large avocado, diced
-
2 tablespoons shelled sunflower seeds
-
10 fresh basil leaves
-
1 block extra firm organic tofu
-
2 teaspoons coconut oil (for cooking)
For the Dressing
-
1.5 tablespoons olive oil
-
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
-
1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
-
2 teaspoons maple syrup
-
pinch of salt
Instructions
Start by pressing the tofu with a tofu press or between some heavy cookbooks. While the tofu presses, wash and tear red leaf lettuce into bite sized pieces. Divide evenly onto two large dinner plates. Slice strawberries and avocado, and divide evenly on top of salads.
In a small dish, whisk together all ingredients for the dressing. Once tofu is drained of excess water, cube and cook according to this tofu tutorial. One difference from the original tutorial post is that now I usually cook tofu in coconut oil. I love the flavor it gets, and I think it helps make the outside extra crispy.
I also use House Foods Organic Tofu now – I love the texture from this brand, and I’m trying to buy organic now as much as possible.
Once the tofu is ready, divide it evenly over both salads. Sprinkle with sunflower seeds and drizzle dressing on top.
Add a few fresh basil leaves for flavor and garnish – serve and enjoy! We do not mess around with salads in our house. This is a 12 inch dinner plate, and the salad just barely fits.
Not a complicated recipe by any means – just something simple to enjoy as the weather warms up.
And while the salad itself feels light and refreshing, there are plenty of calories here to make this a nutritious and filling meal.
Enjoy!
Powered by Recipage
38 Comments so far
Leave a comment
Delish!
[Reply]
Thanks for what looks like another incredible recipe!
I don’t comment often, but just wanted to say that I love what you make and I think your recipes are getting better and better! Thanks for providing such great, healthy, tasty meal ideas.
[Reply]
I LOVE strawberries in salad! Ps…it sure is strawberry season in Seattle…many of the U-pick farms will be open in the coming weeks:)
[Reply]
YUM. i’m trying this very soon!
[Reply]
I love tofu and strawberries together!
[Reply]
Just a tip, coconut oil is actually an amazing cloth diaper safe alternative to diaper rash creams!
[Reply]
Glad I’m not the only person who considers eating half a block of tofu at one sitting acceptable :)
[Reply]
There is nothing better than a salad that fills your whole plate in the summer. This one looks fantastic!
[Reply]
I was always hesitant to eat strawberries in a salad, but once I tried it I realized how yummy it is!
[Reply]
Mmmmm yummy!
[Reply]
I really like this idea for a salad because I have pretty much everything in my pantry right now! I didn’t think of frying the tofu in coconut oil but I will have to do that…I think some shredded coconut on top would also give it a lovely taste :)
[Reply]
Gorgeous salad — and we had the heat on here yesterday, too. It was 62 in the house. BRR! Also — I’ve never made tofu in coconut oil, and now I MUST try it. Thanks.
[Reply]
always love a salad with strawberries and avos.
[Reply]
That’s my lunch sorted for today!! Looks delicious. It’s cold and raining here in London, UK- we are all still wearing our coats.
[Reply]
This looks great! But mainly I wanted to say I hope Cullen is feeling better and back to his eternally smiling self!
[Reply]
I’ve been known to use giant Tupperware containers for my salads since most plates are to small!
[Reply]
Still waiting for a big post on the new house!! :)
[Reply]
Leah Reply:
June 7th, 2012 at 9:38 am
I was just going to say that!
[Reply]
Kristina Reply:
June 9th, 2012 at 12:14 am
I am DYING to see the rest of this gorgeous home too!
[Reply]
I have a space heater in my office because the AC is on full blast at work and we’re in a cold rainy spell here in Boston.
I’ve always wondered what to do with that coconut oil. I’ve seen it at Trader Joe’s as well. :)
[Reply]
Don’t feel bad that you have the heat on and are wearing jeans. We are too in NH!
I love adding fruit to salads. It adds a nice burst of sweetness!
[Reply]
Sounds delicious!
[Reply]
Yum! Delicious!
And, I just tweeted this to you but my husband and I are moving to Washington soon! I’m wondering if I could get the CSA at Ft. Lewis?! I will have to look into it. I used to get something similar when I lived in Alaska (and actually the produce came from WA!) and I miss it. But I am also ridiculously excited about a Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods being about 20 minutes from the base. They are both over an hour drive from where we live now in Georgia, yuck.
[Reply]
How is little Cullen doing? Sure hope he is better.
[Reply]
YES to this salad! I just made a maple sweetened vinaigrette yesterday and loved it. I’ve been hooked on making fun dressings lately!
[Reply]
Good gravy this looks delicious! Now if only I could get my husband to eat tofu…
[Reply]
Mmm I love packed salads with avo + strawberries. And such an awesome “convenience” :)
[Reply]
Emily- 2 quick questions!
Why do you use the Rapunzel vegan bouillon cubes as opposed to veggie broth in your recently posted Vegetable Quinoa Salad with Miso Dressing recipe please? And can this recipe be halved?
Thank you so much.
[Reply]
This salad looks delicious. A full meal salad to me. Isn’t it exciting that Trader Joe’s has coconut oil.
[Reply]
The Pacific NW weather sure isn’t given us a nice summer huh? Major thunderstorms in Oregon. Hope it’s nicer up there!
[Reply]
Great meeting you last night. I used to read your blog, then i got pregnant and had a little one (Ella now 3 months) and a few things like blogging got side tracked. But i knew you moved to Seattle and was pregnant and always wanted to get in touch but never did. Glad i got to meet you last night!!!
[Reply]
that looks delicious!
[Reply]
Wow that salad looks delicioso! :) That’s my way of saying “delicious.”
I know you like fitness training/running/strength training, and it’s been really cool to see how you’ve stayed consistent, while loving on your little boy! He’s adorable.
My bro just developed a fitness app called Fitness Friend, and if you have an Ipad or iphone, it’s a really simple and fun app to try out for motivation and connection with friends!
Here’s the link if anyone’s interested
http://www.creativejaguar.com/FitnessFriend/
[Reply]
I made this last night for my boyfriend and just wanted to report back — so delicious! I halved the avocado (my bf is technically allergic so I knew he’d only eat a bite or two!) and used feta instead of sunflower seeds for some salty goodness and we both loved it. It was a great way to break up our standard salad dinner boredom!
[Reply]
This looks AMAZING! I love that it incorporates so many fiber-licious foods – strawberries, avocados, and sunflower seeds. What a great (and delicious) way to boost your daily fiber intake.
[Reply]
Coconut oil! Sounds interesting, have not tried this on tofu. I use the EZ Tofu Press to get all of the water out, I find that it improves the texture and helps absorb the flavors…thank you for the recipe!
[Reply]
[...] http://www.dailygarnish.com/2012/06/strawberry-avocado-tofu-summer-salad.html   [...]
[...] http://www.dailygarnish.com/2012/06/strawberry-avocado-tofu-summer-salad.html   [...]
Leave a comment