Authentic Spinach Shiraae: The Secret to Creamy Tofu Salad

🥬 Spinach Shira-ae (Creamy Tofu Salad)

What is Shira-ae?

Shira-ae is a classic Japanese “mashed tofu salad.” It is made by mixing creamy, strained tofu with seasonings like sesame, miso, and sugar to create a dressing called “Shira-ae-goromo” (white dressing), which is then tossed with various vegetables.

The name has a lovely origin: the dish looks as though the ingredients are wearing a pure white robe (called shiro-shozoku or hakui). In Japanese, “Shiro” means white and “Ae” means to dress or mix—hence, Shira-ae.

Why You’ll Love It: Healthy & Nutritious

• The Perfect Balance: Tofu is often called “meat from the field” because it’s low in fat, high in protein, and rich in calcium. Combined with vitamin-packed vegetables, this is a highly nutritious Japanese-style salad.
• Versatile Ingredients: While spinach is the most popular choice, you can enjoy it year-round with seasonal ingredients like shimeji mushrooms, konnyaku, green beans, or even fresh persimmon (kaki) in autumn!

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💡 Pro-Tips for the Perfect Shira-ae

1. It’s All About the Tofu & Draining! For this recipe, we use Firm Tofu (Momen Tofu) to achieve a rich, satisfying texture.

• If you have time: Wrap the tofu in paper towels, place a weight on top, and let it drain for a few hours.
• Short on time? Microwave the wrapped tofu for 2–3 minutes to express the water quickly.

2. Elevate the Flavor: Using a mild White Miso (Shiro Miso) is the secret to a refined, elegant taste. For a modern twist, try adding almond powder along with the ground sesame; it adds a wonderful nutty depth that complements the tofu perfectly.

3. Timing is Everything: Tofu loses moisture after seasoning, so mix just before serving for the best texture.

Today’s Menu: A comforting bowl of Beef Udon, paired with our Creamy Spinach Salad (Shira-ae), Simmered Taro with Savory Minced Meat, and fresh seasonal fruits.

✨ Craving that Udon? Get the recipe for our Quick & Easy Beef Udon right here! 👉 [Flavorful Niku Udon Soup (Beef Udon)]

NUTRITION FACTS : Spinach Shiraae (Creamy Tofu Salad)

• Calories: 613 kcal
• Protein: 37.9g
• Fat: 27.1g
• Carbohydrates: 61.4g
• Sodium: 8.0g

INGREDIENTS (Serves 5) : Spinach Shiraae

This recipe uses firm tofu (momen). Silken tofu is much harder to drain and can become too watery, though some traditional theories suggest it was originally used.

• Firm Tofu: 400g
• Spinach: 70g
• Carrot: 50g
• Dried Shiitake Mushrooms: 8g
• Vegetable Seasoning (A):
  • Light Soy Sauce (Usukuchi): 20g (Use light soy sauce to keep the tofu’s beautiful white color)
  • Mirin: 20g
  • Dashi Stock Granules: 2g
• Ground White Sesame Seeds: 10g
• Dressing Seasoning (B):
  • White Miso: 25g
  • Sugar: 25g
  • Salt: 1g

How to make Spinach Shiraae

1. Prep the Ingredients

• Shiitake: Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in water for a few hours (or overnight in the fridge) until soft. Squeeze out the water, remove the stems, and thinly slice.
• Tofu (Draining): Wrap the tofu in paper towels and place it in a colander over a bowl. Put a weight on top and let it drain for a few hours (replace the paper towel once).
  • Quick Tip: If you’re in a hurry, microwave the tofu for a few minutes instead.
• Vegetables: Cut spinach and peeled carrots into 4cm lengths (carrots should be 5mm wide).

2. Cook & Season the Vegetables

• Boil the spinach, carrots, and shiitake together for about 2 minutes.
• Drain and squeeze out the excess water well. (Be careful not to burn your hands!)
• Mix the vegetables with Seasoning (A) (light soy sauce, mirin, and dashi).

3. Make the Tofu Dressing

• In a large bowl, combine the drained tofu and ground sesame seeds. Mash the tofu by hand until smooth.
  • Tip: For a better aroma, grind roasted sesame seeds yourself using a mortar and pestle.
• Add Seasoning (B) (white miso, sugar, and salt) to the tofu mixture and blend well.

4. Combine & Serve

• Add the seasoned vegetables to the tofu dressing and mix gently.
• Pro Tip: Tofu releases water over time once seasoned. For the best creamy texture, mix everything just before serving!

📖Related Link: Read the Japanese version of this article here! [本格ほうれん草の白和え：クリーミーな豆腐サラダの秘密]　　　

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