If the cold weather outside makes you less enthusiastic about light, crispy-cold salads, here is a hearty and warming salad, that is perfect for the weather.Soba noodle, which are made from buckwheat, are well known in Japanese cuisine, where they are served hot in broth, or cold, with a dipping sauce. They are highly nutritious, as they contain eight of the nine essential amino acids. Since buckwheat (despite its name) is gluten free, the noodles are also a wonderful alternative to wheat pasta. Their firm texture and nutty flavor makes them also suitable for an American version, in which they are used as a base for salads, as shown in the following recipe.
The dressing I’ve mixed here, combines American style peanut butter with Asian ingredients. The addition of some crunchy vegetables, scallions and cilantro adds lots of fresh flavors and colors. The salad is best served at room temperature. It can be served as is, or topped with proteins such as grilled shrimps, fish, chicken, etc. Try it and enjoy.
Notes:
* Not all Soba noodles contain 100% buckwheat flour. For best flavor (and gluten-free option) make sure to look for types that are made only from buckwheat.
* For best results, choose natural peanut butter without any additives.
* Miso paste, chili sauce and soy sauce, vary in the level of saltiness, so it’s best not to add salt before mixing and tasting the dressing first.
* Other vegetables can be used instead, or on top of, the ones mentioned here. I sometimes add diced cucumbers, carrots, radishes,broccoli, etc. Herbs, such as mint or basil can be added or replace the cilantro.
Makes: 4
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
8 oz (227 grams) soba noodles, preferably 100% buckwheat
About 12 fresh snow peas
1 Tbs tahini paste, unsalted
2 Tbs natural chunky peanut butter
2 Tbs sweet chili sauce
2 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs red miso paste
¼ cup warm water
1 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
1 tsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp toasted sesame oil
Salt to taste
2 scallions, chopped
4-5 mini peppers, chopped
2 Tbs cilantro, chopped
For serving:
Sweet and Spicy roasted peanuts (optional)
Fresh cilantro leaves
1. In a small pot, boil water with a bit of salt. Add the snow peas and blanch for 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl with ice water. Once cold, strain, pat dry, cut off the ends and slice thin, on the bias.
2. Boil water in a large pot, add the noodles and cook for 6-8 minutes. Strain through a colander and wash with cold water.
3. In a large bowl, mix the tahini paste, peanut butter, chili sauce, soy sauce and miso paste. Gradually add the warm water and mix to combine. Add the ginger, vinegar and sesame oil, mix to a thick dressing. Taste and add salt to taste, if needed.
Add the cooked noodles and mix, so that the noodles are coated with the dressing. Add the snow peas, scallions, peppers and cilantro. Mix again and served, with spicy-sweet peanuts and fresh cilantro on top.
That soba dish of yours sounds absolutely delicious 😀
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Annika, I’m glad you liked the recipe. It is very tasty and belly warming! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely love this! Nice one!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Franck, I’m glad to hear! 🙂
LikeLike
Yes please.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Happy to share! 🙂
LikeLike
This is a favorite salad and I just love your dressing ingredients. I can’t wait to try it 🙂 Do you make your own sweet and spicy peanuts and what kind of peppers do you like?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Judi, I’m glad you liked my version. For the sweet and spicy peanuts, this time I’ve used store bought ones, but obviously homemade is better. As for the peppers, I prefer mini peppers over the larger ones, but any would do. 🙂
LikeLike
This is definitely better than a cold salad…by a million! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
I totally agree Rini! Thanks for commenting. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
We have a restaurant in town called Soba Noodles, I love their food! This both looks and sounds delicious for a winter salad!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Kathryn, I’m glad you liked my version. It is indeed a warming “wintery” salad. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This dish looks and sounds delicious. Fabulous colours too! Will have to try.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Tracey, I’m glad you liked the salad. I hope you’ll enjoy the results! 🙂
LikeLike
Looks wonderful!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Cindy! 🙂
LikeLike
Delicious👌
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Leyla! 🙂
LikeLike
Ronnie this looks so flavorful and yummy! Looks like a great gluten free meal! Love this dressing with peanut and miso! YUM!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Indu, I’m glad you liked the recipe. Soba noodles are indeed a wonderful gluten free ingredient. Highly recommended! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
thank you. I will try them one of these days. Btw sorry autocorrect changed Ronit to Ronnie..I didn’t mean to shorten your name 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
No need to worry about that! By now I’m so used to it, I sometimes present myself as Ronnie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ha ha 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful photos Ronit! This recipe looks delicious, I really need to expand my noodle game and give this a try! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Annie, for such nice compliments! Soba noodles are really so tasty, not to mention healthy. I highly recommend trying them. 🙂
LikeLike
I’ve never had Soba noodles, sounds delicious😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Marisa! Soba noodles are indeed delicious. I highly recommend trying them. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks like it would power you up for a while. Great photo! I always forget about Soba noodles, and I love how quickly they cook.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Ellie, I’m glad you liked the recipe. This salad is indeed very filling and warming. Perfect for the cold weather. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soba + penut butter+ tahini!! Couldn’t imagine the taste but definitely delicious!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you! The dressing is one of my “this and that” recipes, and it worked out so well that it was worth documenting – and repeating. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks amazingly delicious. I love peanut butter dressing, so yum!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Freda, I’m glad you liked my version. I too am a big fan of peanut butter dressing, especially in the winter. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love meals like this because they’re hearty and filling, but still fresh with the vegetables and herbs, and so pretty to boot!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Mimi, you’ve described the salad so perfectly! It’s a favorite of mine in the cold weather. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is totally my kind of dish. I love it. Thank for the share Ronit.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad to hear Myra. It’s my pleasure to share. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not hard and despite the long list of ingredients, quick to make a must when your life is pretty chaotic as mine is. Adding it to my repertoire.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Mary, I’m glad to hear! It is indeed not hard at all and very versatile. Hope you’ll enjoy it as well. 🙂
LikeLike
Oooh, one of my faves and it’s always fun to see a new take on it!! Delish~!
Mollie
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Mollie, I’m glad you liked my version. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
It looks gorgeous! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great salad, thank you Ronit!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Dolly! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
I’ll bet this is yummy! So makin’ it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you, I’m glad to know. Hope you’ll enjoy the salad. 🙂
LikeLike
Since this dish is best at room temperature, it would be wonderful to serve at a buffet dinner.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You’re so right Karen, such salads are perfect for buffet dinners. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is a winner Ronit! Loving all the ingredients, that peanut butter and tahini caught my eye. You know I’ve never cooked with tahini paste before, I know I’ll be changing that pretty soon after checking out this recipe. Love all the fresh veggies and goodness in this salad, and those peanuts in the topping…..I’m all SET! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Loretta, I’m glad to hear! 🙂
If you love sesame seeds, I’m sure you’ll also love Tahini. It’s so versatile and works great with savory and sweet dishes.
LikeLike
This looks like a delightful winter salad. I don’t think that I’ve ever had soba noodles. I’ll have to look for them. Buckwheat flour adds such a rich texture and flavor to a variety of foods.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sheryl, I’m glad you liked the recipe. If you like buckwheat flour, I’m sure you’ll love soba noodles. It is a nice alternative to regular pasta.
And now I’m wondering if soba noodles were mentioned in cooking magazines one hundred years ago… 🙂
LikeLike
this looks amazing!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Lynn, I’m glad you liked the recipe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
So nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ronit,
Absolutely love all the flavors in that delish dressing! Making it soon for sure!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Sandhya, I’m glad to hear. Hope you’ll enjoy the results. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was fantastic! I never knew Soba Noodles were so healthy and delicious. Thank you Ronit for another great meal that everyone loved.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Lisa, for this lovely update! Soba is a great alternative to regular pasta – not that I’m ever going to stop using it! 🙂
LikeLike
this sounds interesting!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Pat! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This sounds absolutely delicious! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Khadija! It is indeed very delicious and I make it often. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on mamabatesmotel.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on redcrosse10999 and commented:
Alright then, between the Soba Noodles and the Skirt Steak, I think I have lunch covered; and a few other ideas reprinted after this.
LikeLike