Toasted Barley, Green Bean, and Shiitake Salad with Tofu

Name: Toasted Barley, Green Bean, and Shiitake Salad with Tofu
Prep time: 45 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: Global
Ingredients: 2 Tbsps agave nectar or honey; 1 Tbsp brown sugar; 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil; 2 Tbsps dark sesame oil, divided; 340 grams package extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into 5 (1-inch-thick) slices; 1 teaspoon grated peeled fresh ginger; 2 teaspoons finely grated peeled fresh ginger; 1 garlic clove, grated; 1 garlic clove, minced; 454 grams green beans, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces; 355 milliliters thinly sliced green onions; 2 Tbsps lower-sodium soy sauce; 237 milliliters uncooked pearl barley; 59 milliliters rice wine vinegar; 1 teaspoons salt, divided; 283 grams shiitake mushrooms, stems removed; 1 liters water

You can never have too many side dish recipes, so give Toasted Barley, Green Bean, and Shiitake Salad with Tofu a try. This recipe makes 6 servings with 286 calories, 11g of protein, and 8g of fat each. This recipe covers 18% of your daily requirements of vitamins and minerals. Head to the store and pick up agave nectar, green onions, lower-sodium soy sauce, and a few other things to make it today. It is a good option if you're following a vegan diet. From preparation to the plate, this recipe takes roughly 45 minutes.

Instructions

To prepare tofu, place tofu slices on several layers of paper towels; cover with additional paper towels. Top with a cutting board; place a heavy skillet on top of cutting board.

Ingredients you will need

Tofu

Equipment you will use

Cutting Board

Paper Towels

Frying Pan

Let stand 45 minutes, pressing down occasionally.

Cut each tofu slice into 10 cubes; arrange in a single layer in a shallow dish.

Ingredients you will need

Tofu

Preheat oven to 37

Equipment you will use

Oven

Combine brown sugar and next 4 ingredients (through garlic) in a small bowl.

Ingredients you will need

Brown Sugar

Garlic

Equipment you will use

Bowl

Pour sugar mixture over tofu in dish, and turn to coat.

Ingredients you will need

Sugar

Tofu

Let stand for 25 minutes. Arrange tofu in a single layer on a baking sheet coated with cooking spray.

Ingredients you will need

Cooking Spray

Tofu

Equipment you will use

Baking Sheet

Bake at 375 for 35 minutes, turning after 15 minutes. Cool completely.

Equipment you will use

Oven

To prepare salad, heat 1 teaspoon sesame oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat.

Ingredients you will need

Sesame Oil

Equipment you will use

Sauce Pan

Add barley to pan; cook 3 minutes or until lightly toasted, stirring frequently.

Ingredients you will need

Barley

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Add 5 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 45 minutes or until barley is tender.

Ingredients you will need

Barley

Water

Salt

Drain; cool completely.

Place barley in a large bowl.

Ingredients you will need

Barley

Equipment you will use

Bowl

Cook green beans in boiling water for 4 minutes or until crisp-tender.

Ingredients you will need

Green Beans

Water

Drain and plunge green beans into ice water.

Ingredients you will need

Green Beans

Water

Drain well; pat dry.

Add beans to barley.

Ingredients you will need

Barley

Beans

Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.

Equipment you will use

Grill Pan

Brush tops of mushrooms with 2 teaspoons oil.

Ingredients you will need

Mushrooms

Cooking Oil

Add mushrooms to pan, oiled side down. Cook 5 minutes or until browned.

Ingredients you will need

Mushrooms

Equipment you will use

Frying Pan

Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Cool slightly; slice mushrooms thinly.

Ingredients you will need

Mushrooms

Salt

Add tofu, mushrooms, and green onions to barley mixture.

Ingredients you will need

Green Onions

Mushrooms

Barley

Tofu

Combine remaining 1 tablespoon oil, rice wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, agave nectar or honey, grated ginger, and minced garlic in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Ingredients you will need

Rice Vinegar