Tomato and sweet corn salad is a highlight reel of summer. It is topped with pepitas for a nutty edge and drizzled with jalapeño dressing. Make it a full meal by adding Creole-seasoned tofu. Vegan & gluten-free.
Sweet corn is pretty remarkable right now. Lately I’ve been enjoying it uncooked and straight from the cob in a tomato and sweet corn salad.
While tomatoes are in all of their summer glory, this salad offers the best of the season. It is topped with pepitas for a nutty edge and drizzled with jalapeño dressing.
Jalapeño dressing with cashews
The salad dressing is a variation of my recent jalapeño cashew cheese spread.
After making and re-making the cashew cheese in testing, I wanted to come up with some alternative uses. So I started taking a couple spoonfuls of the cheese, adding a splash of water to thin it, and then stirring it until it had the consistency of a ranch dressing.
So if you already have the jalapeño cashew cheese in your refrigerator, feel free to go with that method. Otherwise, in the recipe below, I share how to make the dressing on its own, instead of making cheese first.
Even though the dressing has pickled jalapeño brine in it, it’s not overly hot.
Serve it with Creole-seasoned tofu
The salad is wonderful as a summer side dish. But it also can be a meal all on its own with the addition of Creole-seasoned tofu squares.
The tofu is really easy to prepare. And the whole salad can be ready in about fifteen minutes.
To season the tofu, I have been using the Creole seasoning mix. Spiciness levels vary. So if your brand is on the hot side, start with less seasoning and work up.
Make this tomato and sweet corn salad now while the produce is at its peak with corn from your favorite local grower.
If you try this recipe and love it, let me know! Leave a comment and ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating in the comment section below. It truly makes my day and is such a help!
📖 Recipe
Tomato & sweet corn salad with jalapeño dressing
Ingredients
For the salad
- 1 ear corn kernels cut off from the cob (roughly ½ cup of corn)
- 1 bunch spinach 5 – 6 ounces, roughly chopped
- 1 large tomato diced
- ¼ cup pepitas shelled pumpkin seeds
For the jalapeño dressing
- ¾ cup raw cashew pieces
- ½ cup water plus additional water for soaking if not using a high-speed blender
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon tamari
- 3 Tablespoons brine from a jar of pickled jalapeños
- 1 teaspoon white miso paste
- 1 Tablespoon pickled jalapeño slices
For the Creole seasoned tofu (optional)
- ½ teaspoon organic canola oil or other neutral-flavored oil
- 10 ounces super firm tofu in vacuum packaging cut into ½ inch squares*
- 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
- Grind cracked black pepper
Instructions
To make salad
- Combine corn, spinach, tomato, and pepitas in a large salad bowl. Serve with jalapeño dressing for topping salads individually. If using, top each salad with Creole tofu just before serving, so that the hot tofu doesn’t wilt the spinach.
To make the dressing
- If not using a high speed blender, soak the cashews in water for several hours or overnight before making the dressing. That way the cashews will soften for easy blending into a perfectly creamy dressing. Drain the cashews and continue.
- In a blender, combine raw cashew pieces, ½ cup water, lemon juice, tamari, brine, and miso paste. Blend until completely smooth. The dressing should be thick like a full-bodied ranch dressing.
- Add pickled jalapeño slices and blend for about 30 seconds, until the slices are broken down but not completely smooth.
- Use the dressing right away or put into a covered container in the refrigerator for future use. Note that the dressing will continue to thicken in the refrigerator. So you may need to add a couple tablespoons of water to the dressing and stir if it’s too thick to pour.
To make Creole seasoned tofu
- Bring a non-stick skillet to a medium heat along with canola oil. Put tofu squares in the skillet and allow them to brown for a few minutes. Once the squares are brown on one side, flip them, and add 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning.
- Brown the cubes for a few more minutes, flip again, and add the second teaspoon of Creole seasoning plus a grind of cracked black pepper. Continue flipping the tofu until it has browned on all sides, and then remove from heat.
Shell
This looks delicious! I’m still laughing about your “they will cut you” comment. Thank goodness you clarified that it will only be the side eye.
Cadry
I didn’t want you to be too afraid to leave your house! 😉
Dianne
Little know fact: NJ has amazing corn! I’m going to try this recipe with some of it! 🙂
Cadry
I guess there’s a reason they call it the Garden State! 😀
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
This looks fabulous, Cadry! I love salads like this. I’ll definitely try it with the tofu.
Cadry
Thanks, Amy! I’ll be dreaming about this one in December when the summer tomatoes & corn are just memories. 😀
Mary Ellen @ VNutrition
Your comment about the black dirt and wrinkly baby feet cracked me up!
I’m from NJ and we’re proud of our Jersey shore (not the show, don’t even bring the show up to NJ people they get so mad and might actually cut you lol) and some people in north Jersey are very proud of the Sopranos for some reason.
Your salad looks totally delicious – you had me a jalapeno. 🙂
Cadry
I’ve never visited the Jersey shore, but I would love to do that. (I’ve never seen the TV show either, but I’m happy to skip that!) 😉
Jenn
Love that spicy dressing!! And I have been loving corn in my salads this summer too. So good!
Cadry
Yes, it’s so good raw right now, I’ve been eating it that way more often than cooked. Got to love seasonal produce!
Marta @ What should I eat for breakfast today
hahaha the local’s recommendation is so sweet. They do believe in their product 🙂
Cadry
Isn’t that cute? I had to appreciate her local pride. 😀
Bianca
Yum! I love corn in salads, and the addition of that beautiful tofu is a great idea!
Memphis is that way about barbecue, which, as a vegan, means nothing to me. Ha! I’ve never actually even had Memphis barbecue since I went vegetarian in Arkansas at age 14. We used to drive to Memphis sometimes as a treat when I was a kid, but I don’t remember us ever eating at a ‘cue joint. Memphis also claims to have the best drinking water in the world because it comes from this ancient aquifer, and I’ll say that, I’ve never had tap water anywhere else that tasted as good as the water in Memphis, so they might be right about that.
Interestingly, Memphians don’t make many claims about Tennessee as a state though. That’s probably because Memphians like to think of Memphis as a sort of independent island unto itself — not associated with the rest of the state. The culture is very different here than in the rest of the state. Memphis is more urban and progressive and has a rock n roll, hip-hop, & basketball culture, while the rest of the state is more rural and all about the country music and farming and stuff.
Cadry
Corn is so great in salads! I’ve been doing it a lot this summer, and I plan on continuing until corn is out of season. I bet the tofu would be great with your Slap Ya Mama seasoning salt too; although, it would be hotter than the seasoning I use.
That is really interesting about Memphians making a big deal about their water! The way you describe it sounds delicious, so that makes a lot of sense. That’s actually quite a boon to a town. Imagine how much you’re saving on in-home purifiers or bottled water.
That’s also fascinating how Memphis divides itself culturally from the rest of the state. I had no idea!
Becky Striepe
I’m pretty jealous of your black dirt. Growing anything in GA red clay is so hard!
Cadry
Finally someone is jealous of our black dirt!! I’ll alert the Des Moines Register. 🙂
KZ
This looks great! I love corn in salads. It’s so true how territorial states are! I feel like sports is the most sensitive of subjects when moving to a new state. Having lived in 4 states, I learned that the best way to remain stateless is not to affiliate with any teams!
Cadry
Yes, people get very serious about sports, that’s for sure. In LA, it was all about the Lakers. Since Iowa doesn’t have any professional teams, people here get heated about college football. I graduated from one of the state schools, but I have no allegiances at all where sports are concerned. (I’ve never even been to a game – neither while in college nor out of it.) In fact, I find myself hiding a lot of people on FB during football season, because all of the ranting is just dull to me. 🙂