Sweet Potato And Tofu Almost-Thanksgiving Salad

• Sweet Potato and Tofu Almost-Thanksgiving Salad
• 1 (large) handfuls lettuce (I used an arugula and sprouts mixture that I had on hand)
• 1 handful Mesquite Tofu chunks (recipe follows)
• 1 small sweet potato, cut into 1" cubes (no need to peel, if you like extra fiber)
• 2 tablespoons dried sweetened cranberries
• 1 tablespoon sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon oil (I used a Mediterranean olive oil blend), divided
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 1 teaspoon balsalmic vinegar
• a pinch ground nutmeg
• salt and pepper, to taste
• Mesquite Tofu
• 2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons sugar (or other sweetener)
• 2 teaspoons molasses
• 2 teaspoons liquid smoke
• 16 ounces firm (or extra firm) tofu, drained and cut into 1? cubes (Note: I used a sprouted kind)
• 1 tablespoon mild-flavored oil

1. First, preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (alternatively: coat with cooking spray or a thin layer of oil). In a small mixing bowl, combine 2 teaspoons oil, sweet potato chunks, and salt and pepper (to taste). Stir until combined. Transfer potato cubes to baking sheet and cook until fork tender and slightly browned. When tender and slightly browned, remove from heat and set aside to cool.
2. Second, make Molasses-Balsamic Vinaigrette (this salad's dressing). In a small bowl, combine: remaining teaspoon of oil, water, molasses, vinegar, and nutmeg. Season with salt and pepper. Stir well and set aside.
3. Make Mesquite Tofu (or, if you've already done so, continue to next step). Recipe is below.
4. Now, (hopefully) you're ready to plate. On a dinner plate or salad bowl, layer (in the following order): lettuce or salad mix, tofu, and cooled sweet potato cubes. Sprinkle with cranberries and almonds. Top with Molasses-Balsamic Vinaigrette. And enjoy! You've earned it.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the vinegar, salt, sugar, molasses, and liquid smoke. Add tofu cubes and stir until tofu is completely coated with the sauce. Allow to marinade for at least 20 minutes (or up to one hour), stirring occasionally.
6. To cook, place a small skillet over medium heat. Add a tablespoon of oil and tofu cubes. Cook until all sides of tofu are browned. rnNote: Cooking all of the tofu cubes at once takes focus. Because mine has a tendency to fluctuate, I used a small skillet, so that I would have to cook it in small batches - just because I sometimes forget what I'm doing and overcook.
7. Makes: around 3-4 handfuls of mesquite tofu chunks, perfect for adding to salads (like the Sweet Potato and Tofu Almost-Thanksgiving Salad!), enjoying for snacks, in sandwiches or sauteed delights, and for your BBQ-ing pleasure.

almostthanksgiving salad, handfuls lettuce, handful mesquite, sweet potato, cranberries, almonds, oil, water, molasses, balsalmic vinegar, ground nutmeg, salt, mesquite tofu, white vinegar, salt, sugar, molasses, liquid smoke, firm, mildflavored oil

Taken from food52.com/recipes/25088-sweet-potato-and-tofu-almost-thanksgiving-salad (may not work)