Smooth and Spicy Tofu Spread

Name: Smooth and Spicy Tofu Spread (涼拌豆腐)
Yield: Yields 1¾ cups, enough to serve 4–8 as part of a cold buffet or picnic, 12 as an hors d’oeuvre spread.
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 6 large,firm red radishes, trimmed; 2 medium whole scallions, cut into 1½-inch lengths; ⅛–¼ teaspoon hot chili oil; ⅛–¼ teaspoon unseasoned Chinese or Japanese rice vinegar; ⅛ teaspoon sugar; 2–3 thick carrots, trimmed and peeled; 1 large, very firm cucumber, seedless variety preferred; freshly ground pepper to taste; ¼–½ teaspoon coarse kosher salt; 1 tablespoon Chinese or Japanese sesame oil; 2 teaspoons thin (regular) soy sauce, or 1½ teaspoons mushroom soy sauce; 1 small, overripe avocado; 8 ounces fresh white tofu, firm Chinese style best (equal to 2 cakes, 3 inches square and 1 inch thick); 1 medium carrot, trimmed and peeled

涼拌豆腐

Preparation info

Yields 1¾ cups , enough to serve
4–8
as part of a cold buffet or picnic .

Difficulty
Easy

Appears in

The Modern Art of Chinese Cooking

By Barbara Tropp

Published 1982

About

Mashing chilled tofu with a light dressing of soy, sesame oil, and scallions is a common way to beat the heat in north China. This recipe takes the idea a few steps farther West, whipping the tofu to a thick purée in a food processor and seasoning it with a spicy blend of fresh vegetables. The result is a rich, flavorful spread, ideal with raw vegetables, crackers, or pita bread, and very much to contemporary Western tastes.

For the purée to be perfectly thick,

Ingredients

Asia
China
Dinner
Starter
Vegetarian
Spicy

Ingredients

Method