Course 02

Tomato Salad with Whipped Tofu

tomato water · rice vinegar · pomelo · fish sauce · dry chili · sprouts
Keep the dressing transparent and tomato-led; fish sauce should read as depth, not as the first flavor.
Scaled for 12 guests:

Whipped tofu

Ingredients
  • Silken tofu, drained and pressed800g
  • White miso2 tbsp
  • Toasted sesame oil1 tbsp
  • Rice vinegar1 tsp
  • Fine saltto taste
Method
  1. 1

    Press tofu for 30 minutes.

  2. 2

    Blend with miso, sesame oil, vinegar, and salt until smooth and softly peaked.

  3. 3

    Chill in a piping bag or sealed container. Keep the tofu cool and quiet so it catches the dressing without overwhelming the tomatoes.

Tomato water dressing

Ingredients
  • Clear tomato water300ml
  • Rice vinegar60ml
  • Fish sauce1½ tbsp
  • Neutral oil45ml
  • MSG1 tsp
  • Dry chili, finely ground or lightly crushed1–1½ tsp
Method
  1. 1

    Day before: clarify tomato water until clean, bright, and free of pulp.

  2. 2

    Whisk tomato water with rice vinegar, fish sauce, neutral oil, and MSG until dissolved and lightly glossy.

  3. 3

    Add dry chili a little at a time. The finish should glow with heat, not hit like a spicy salad dressing.

  4. 4

    Chill overnight if possible, then re-taste cold before service. Adjust only if it feels hollow.

Tomatoes, pomelo, and garnish

Ingredients
  • Mixed heirloom tomatoes1kg
  • Pomelo, segmented cleanly2
  • Delicate sprouts or herb tops2 small handfuls
  • Dry chili, for final seasoningsmall pinch
  • Flaky salt, only if needed at pickupto finish
Method
  1. 1

    Cut tomatoes into deliberate mixed shapes. Hold cold, then temper slightly before service so the fruit reads fully.

  2. 2

    Dress tomatoes lightly with the tomato water dressing so some liquid still pools on the plate.

  3. 3

    Fold in pomelo at the last second so the segments stay clean and do not crush into bitterness.

  4. 4

    Plate whipped tofu first, then tomatoes and pomelo. Finish with sprouts and the smallest extra pinch of dry chili. Add flaky salt only if the plate still needs lift.