Vegetable Salad

Ingredients

• 1 c Cubed, firm tofu (1/2-in. -cubes
• 2 Stalks celery, cut into -julienne strips
• 2 Carrots, shredded
• 2 Italian plum tomatoes, cut -into thin wedges
• 1/2 Cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1 c Fresh bean sprouts
• 1 c Broccoli florets
• 1/2 c Szechuwan Peanut Dressing Garnish: raisins, toasted -sesame seeds, fresh -watercress sprigs, or -unsalted peanuts, optional -----DRESSING-----
• 1/3 c Peanut butter, smooth or -crunchy
• 1/2 c Hot vegetable stock or hot -water
• 1 t Soy sauce
• 2 tb Rice vinegar
• 2 tb Safflower oil
• 2 Cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 ts Dry crushed red pepper (1 -teaspoon if you prefer -spicy flavoring

Directions

In a large bowl, gently toss together salad ingredients.

In a small bowl, combine dressing ingredients. Pour over salad and toss again. Top with garnish.

Advance Preparation: Both salad ingredients and dressing may be prepared in advance and refrigerated. For best quality, toss together just before serving.

Hints:

To cook bean thread, immerse it in boiling water for about 10 minutes to soften. Drain, rinse with cool water, and cut into 3-inch strands.

For those concerned about complete protein, tofu, peanuts and sesame seeds complement one another to form a high-quality "complete" protein.