This traditional Japanese side dish comes from Buddhist cuisine. The ingredients are tofu and some simmered tender vegetables, and the dish is seasoned with sugar and soy sauce. I have loved it since I was a child because the taste is good and sweet, and the texture is amazingly smooth.

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My book Bento for Beginners: 60 Recipes for Easy Bento Box Lunches is now available!!

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Tofu is always great protein for us, has no strong taste or flavor, and has a soft texture so it doesn’t interfere with any dish’s flavors or textures. Therefore, in regard to nutrition and digestion it is good for people who don’t have an appetite or who are really picky eaters. You can cook any kind of dish with tofu.

Enjoy your new taste and texture side salad!!

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{Ingredients (servings 3)}

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A pack (14 oz.) Firm Tofu

Half bunch Fresh Spinach

1 Carrot

3 pieces Shirakiku Shiitake Dried Mushrooms

1 Tbsp. Roasted White Sesame Seeds (Iri Goma)

2 Tbsp. Sugar

2 Tbsp. plus 2 separate tsp. Kikkoman Gluten Free Soy Sauce

½ tsp. Salt (total)

1 tsp. Cooking Sake

2 cups Water (including leftover from soaking shiitake mushrooms)

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Here is my recipe in PDF (7 MB): Sweet Tofu Salad