Spring Abundance Bowl with Roasted Carrot, Miso and Ginger Dressing

. September, 2017
Photography by Kelly Gibney.
Spring Abundance Bowl with Roasted Carrot, Miso and Ginger Dressing

The change in season is the perfect time to increase the amount of vegetables you’re eating with fresh bowl meals like this. The dressing is incredibly addictive and delicious. Adapt the salad items to suit the produce that you have on hand.

Serves: 2

INGREDIENTS

Dressing
1 large carrot (or 2 medium)
2 tablespoons white miso paste
¼ cup (60ml) light olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 teaspoon finely grated ginger
½ cup (125ml) water (or more as needed)
oil for roasting
Tofu
½ cup tapioca flour, potato flour, regular white flour
¼ teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon ground cumin
200 grams firm tofu
oil for frying
Salad
½ cup (100grams) black quinoa (can also use white quinoa or hulled millet)
1 cup (250ml) vegetable stock (can also use chicken stock)
½ clove garlic, finely diced
2 large handfuls wild rocket or watercress
1 ripe (but firm) avocado, sliced
8 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 radish, sliced thinly
2 button mushrooms, sliced thinly
¾ cup sprouts
½ cup sauerkraut
sea salt and cracked black pepper
To garnish: sesame and pumpkin seeds

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180 degrees celsius.

Dressing method

Peel carrot and cut into large chunks. Toss with oil. Roast for 35 minutes or until tender. Place in a blender or use a hand blender to puree along with the other dressing ingredients until very smooth. Add extra water if needed. The dressing will thicken quite a lot when cooled.

Tofu method

Combine the flour and spices in a bowl. Season very generously with sea salt and cracked black pepper. Mix well. Cut the tofu into cubes. Toss in the seasoned flour. Heat 1cm of oil in a skillet over a medium-high heat. Cook the tofu for 1 minute on each side until golden and crispy. Lay on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Salad method

Place the quinoa, stock and garlic in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil before reducing to a simmer. Cook with a lid ajar for 15–20 minutes until tender and the liquid has been absorbed. Place the lid on firmly and leave to sit for five minutes before fluffing with a fork.

Divide the cooked quinoa between two bowls or plates. Split the tofu, greens, avocado, radish slices, mushrooms, sprouts and sauerkraut between the dishes.

Drizzle with a little of the dressing and serve with more on the side. You can thin the dressing with a little more water if it has thickened too much. Garnish with black and white sesame seeds. Serves 2.