Crispy Zucchini & Spicy Radish Bao

with Cucumber-Tomato Salad

30 MIN

2 Servings

Wellness at Blue Apron

Find recipes that suit your lifestyle with our new nutritionist-approved dietary tags.

Vegetarian

These recipes don’t contain meat, poultry, fish, or seafood.* They’re made with fruits and vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. *Select artisanal cheeses may contain animal-derived rennet.

Carb Conscious

This applies to meal kit recipes with 48g or less of net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber) per serving. Carb Conscious Add-ons contain 20g or less net carbs.

Mediterranean Diet

Our Mediterranean recipes are inspired by the Mediterranean Diet, a healthy eating plan recommended in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans published jointly every five years by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS). This eating plan highlights the flavors and cooking styles from countries along the Mediterranean Sea, including those in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. These recipes showcase a wide variety of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, as well as lean proteins and moderate portions of dairy.

600 Calories or Less

These meals contain 600 calories or less per serving. The US Food & Drug Administration uses 2000 calorie daily intake for general advice. The 600 calorie cap equates to 30% of the total 2000 calories per day based on 3 meals per day with 200 calories remaining for snack or beverage.

Wellness Grain

These recipes feature grains such as barley, quinoa, farro, orzo, couscous and more, handpicked by our Culinary team in collaboration with our Registered Dietitian.

Pescatarian

These recipes feature a wide array of nutritious seafood options like salmon, cod, tilapia, crab, and shrimp. While these dishes never contain meat, pork or poultry, they may contain animal derived ingredients such as milk, butter, cheese and/or honey.

30g Of Protein

These meals contain 30g or more of protein per serving, and are ideal for those looking to focus their meals around protein intake.

Keto Friendly

These meals have approximately 10% of calories from carbohydrates, 20% from protein, and 70% from dietary fats (per serving).

45g Of Protein

These meal kit recipes contain 45g or more of protein per serving, and are ideal for those looking to focus their meals around protein intake.

Nutritionist's Pick

These meals are selected by Blue Apron’s Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. They are centered around nutritious and wholesome ingredients, featuring whole grains and fresh produce which provide fiber. They also contain moderate portions of dairy and lean protein while being mindful of saturated fat.

Wheat Free

These meals are prepared with ingredients that do not contain wheat. They feature grains such as barley and rice as well as proteins and vegetables.

Reduced Sodium

These Prepared and Ready dishes contain at least 25% less sodium per 100 grams (or 3.5 oz) than our average Prepared and Ready Meal as of October 1, 2024. Sodium content has been reduced from 330 mg per 100 grams to 250 mg per 100 grams. These dishes focus on ingredients with strong flavor and moderate salt.

Vegan

To view a recipe's full nutrition information, head to your Upcoming page at blueapron.com, click on a specific recipe, then head to the Nutrition tab and select 'View Full Nutrition.' Nutrition Facts Panels are available up to 1.5 weeks in advance

From the Test Kitchen

In this vibrant dish, you’ll learn to tempura fry zucchini—a favorite Japanese technique—then use the light, airy slices to fill soft steam buns, alongside a spread of sweet hoisin and radishes tossed with spicy chile paste. A side of marinated juicy tomatoes and crisp cucumbers makes for a refreshing, seasonal accompaniment.

See Plans

Nutrition

PER SERVING
Calories

540 Cals (est.)

View Full Nutrition

fresh

ingredients

time-saving

tips & techniques

step-by-step

instructions

Cook Along

1 Prepare the ingredients & make the spicy radishes:

Fill a medium pot with water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve the tomatoes. Thinly slice the cucumbers into rounds. Thinly slice the zucchini into rounds. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and hollow green tops. Halve the radishes lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise; place in a bowl. Add the sliced white bottoms of the scallions and as much of the sambal oelek as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be. Season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.

2 Make the cucumber-tomato salad:

In a medium bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, sliced cucumbers and green tops of the scallions, furikake, vinegar, and 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside to marinate, stirring occasionally, at least 10 minutes. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

3 Make the tempura zucchini:

While the salad marinates, in a large bowl, combine the tempura mix and ¼ cup of cold water; season with salt and pepper. Whisk until smooth. Add the sliced zucchini and stir to thoroughly coat. In a large pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Working in batches if necessary, add the coated zucchini to the pan in an even layer (letting any excess batter drip off). Cook 2 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate; immediately season with salt.

4 Steam the buns:

While the zucchini cooks, rest a strainer (or colander) over the pot of boiling water, making sure the water doesn’t reach the bottom of the strainer. Working in batches if necessary, place the buns in the strainer; cover with the lid of the pot. Steam 3 to 5 minutes, or until puffy and softened. Carefully transfer to a work surface.

5 Assemble the bao & serve your dish:

Gently open the steamed buns. Assemble the bao using the steamed buns, hoisin sauce, tempura zucchini, and spicy radishes (including any liquid). Serve the bao with the cucumber-tomato salad on the side. Enjoy!