Mason Jar Chinese Tofu Salad

When I lived in California I used to love eating something called Chinese Chicken Salad, my favorite was the one at California Chicken Cafe (I sometimes called it "California Chicken Kitchen"). Here in Vancouver this delicious salad (which doesn't have anything to do with real Chinese food, I believe) is nowhere to be found.

Today I wanted to try making some mason jar salads so I decided to make a vegetarian version of the one I missed so much, and adapt it to mason jar salad trend as well so I could keep some for upcoming meals.

This is what I did:

Chinese Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing

-- makes enough for 2 Quart-size (4-cup) mason jars (or medium tall round ziplock containers, as I ended up using)

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup chow mein noodles (the crunchy kind)
• 5 cups chopped romaine lettuce
• 1/2 package smoked tofu (I use plain Soyganic), julienned
• 2 green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted lightly
• 1/2 large carrot, peeled and julienned (about 1/2 cup?)
• 1/2 large red pepper, seeded and julienned (about 1/2 cup?)
• 1 cup mandarin orange segments

dressing

• 1½ tablespoons vegetable or grapeseed oil
• 6 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar (I used plain rice vinegar and found I had to add at least another Tablespoon of sugar)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (add more to taste if you prefer a strong sesame taste)
• 1½ teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoon sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• ⅛ teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Combine dressing ingredients in a small bowl. Whisk well until sugar dissolves. 
2. Pour half the dressing in each mason jar (or medium tall round ziplock container)
3. Add half of each of the following ingredients into each mason jar, in this order: mandarin oranges, green onions, tofu, red peppers, carrots, then pack the rest of the container with the romaine lettuce. The idea is to keep the lettuce dry.
4. Close each mason jar tightly.
5. Now you want to make a "crunchy packet" because if you put crunchy things in the jar they will get soggy -- so rip 2 large pieces of plastic wrap, put half the chow mein noodles and almonds into the center, and twist each one up tightly.
6. Keep the containers in the fridge,with the crunchy packet on top so you don't forget about it.
7. Done! When you're ready to eat, dump the salad and crunchy toppings in a large salad bowl and mix it up and enjoy.