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Soba salad

Soba salad
Serves 2

I like the texture of this dish. Finely-diced green and red apples can be tossed in as well, you can experiment with various salad ingredients to fix something to your taste.

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(I) Ginger-sesame dressing

zest of 1 lemon
1½ oz. cleaned ginger, thinly sliced
1 tbsp granulated sugar
¾ tsp cayenne
¾ tsp salt
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
One-third cup unseasoned rice vinegar
One-third cup soy sauce
2 tbsp canola oil
2 tbsp pure sesame oil

First
In a food processor (or with mortar and pestle), combine lemon zest, ginger, sugar, cayenne, and salt and process to a smooth puree; add lemon juice, rice vinegar and soy sauce. Blend well. Slowly add canola oil and sesame oil until well combined.

(II) Soba noodles

2 portions soba noodles, softened in boiling water and rinsed in cold running water
½ a block of firm tofu, cut into small cubes
2 tbsp canola oil
1 tbsp chopped cilantro
1 scallion, green and white part, cleaned and thinly sliced
Half cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in half lengthwise then cut across into thin half-moons
Sprinkle sesame seeds, nori seaweed and cilantro for garnish

First
Add tofu to a large non-stick skillet without any oil and toss over high heat until all water has evaporated. Add canola oil, reduce heat to medium-high and fry, tossing frequently until tofu is firm and golden. Drain over paper towels;

Second
I n a large mixing bowl, combine drained soba noodles, cilantro, scallions, cucumber and dressing. Toss well, arrange salad in center of large plate and top with fried tofu. Garnish and serve.

Aug 2006 © Yvonne Koh