Jalapeño Garlic Asian Themed Noodle Salad (Jalapeno Garlic Olive Oil, White Balsamic Vinegar)

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In lieu of a peanut sauce, with a soy sauce base and lots of sugar, this recipe uses an infused olive oil and white balsamic base with added soy ingredients. The white balsamic provides sweetness from the fermented grapes, the soy ups the umami flavor but there is less used for lower salt. The peanut flavor comes by adding chopped peanuts, but you use another nut like cashews if you are sensitive or have an allergy.

Dressing: What you will need:

  • 1/3 cup Jalapeno Garlic Olive Oil

  • 1/4 cup White Balsamic Vinegar (use ginger balsamic to add the ginger taste to the dressing)

  • 4 Teaspoons Soy Sauce

  • 2 Teaspoons Miso Paste

Measure all ingredients into a bowl and whisk until creamy and smooth. Optionally add Salt and Pepper to taste.

Salad: What you will need:

  • Thai noodles: any style cooked per directions and cooled

  • Veggies: grated carrot, diced green onion, sliced cabbage, sliced orange or red bell pepper or similar

  • Herb: chopped basil or cilantro 

  • Nuts: peanuts finely chopped, or other nut like cashew

  • Air fried tofu: see instructions below

To make air fried tofu:

  • Remove moisture from extra firm Tofu by putting it between paper towels and placing something heavy on top. Replace paper towels until you do not see moisture.

  • Once moisture is removed, cut the tofu into even size small squares.

  • Mix 1 tablespoons each of olive oil and soy sauce in bowl, add the tofu and gently toss until squares are well coated.

  • Sprinkle corn starch on the tofu and toss several times until all the squares are well coated.

  • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees

  • Lay out the squares on the air fryer surface so they do not overlap, cook for 8 minutes, flip the squares and cook for 8 minutes more.

To serve the salad:

  • Mix noodles, veggies, herbs, and about 3/4 of the salad dressing in a large bowl. (Note, for veggies to blend well you pay need to cut the noodles. You can use kitchen shears for this.)

  • Place into a serving bowl.

  • Add tofu squares, then top with nuts and drizzle with extra dressing