Vegan BBQ Soy Curl Salad with Lime Dressing

• •3 cups Soy Curls (dry)
• •3 cups Vegetable Broth or Water (for rehydrating)
• •1 cup Vegan BBQ Sauce
• •1 tbsp Olive Oil (divided)
• •1 head Romaine Lettuce (chopped)
• •1 can Black Beans (15 oz, rinsed and drained)
• •1 cup Corn (fresh, frozen (thawed), or canned (drained))
• •1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved)
• •0.5 piece Red Onion (thinly sliced or diced)
• •3 tbsp Lime Juice (freshly squeezed)
• •1 tsp Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar (optional, for dressing)
• •0.3 cup Cilantro (fresh, chopped, plus more for serving)

Instructions

1. 1

   Rehydrate the Soy Curls: Place the dry soy curls in a medium bowl. Pour 3 cups of hot vegetable broth or water over them. Let them soak for 10-15 minutes until fully softened. Drain well, squeezing out any excess liquid.

2. 2

   Cook the BBQ Soy Curls: Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet or non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the rehydrated and drained soy curls. Sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the soy curls start to brown and become slightly crispy.

3. 3

   Add BBQ Sauce: Pour the vegan BBQ sauce over the soy curls in the skillet and reduce heat to low. Stir well to coat all the pieces. Continue to cook for another 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and caramelizes slightly around the soy curls. Remove from heat.

4. 4

   Prepare the Salad Components: While the soy curls are cooking, prepare the salad ingredients. In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped romaine lettuce, rinsed and drained black beans, corn, halved cherry tomatoes, and thinly sliced red onion.

5. 5

   Make the Lime Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lime juice, maple syrup (if using), and chopped cilantro.

6. 6

   Assemble the Salad: Add the warm BBQ soy curls to the large salad bowl with the vegetables. Pour the lime dressing over the entire salad. Toss gently to combine all ingredients evenly. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro, if desired, and serve immediately.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For extra crispiness, you can air fry the rehydrated soy curls for 10-12 minutes at 375°F (190°C) before tossing them with BBQ sauce in the skillet.
• 💡Adjust the amount of red onion to your preference; soaking it in cold water for 10 minutes can reduce its sharpness if you prefer.
• 💡Feel free to add other toppings like avocado slices, tortilla strips, or a sprinkle of vegan cheese for more flavor and texture.