Beef And Shiitake Soba Recipes

BEEF, PUMPKIN, AND SHIITAKE SOUP

Steps:

• Combine beef and 10 cups water in a pot. Bring to a boil, skimming any foam and impurities from surface. Add half of onion, 2 teaspoons salt, peppercorns, bay leaf, thyme, pumpkin peels, shiitake stems, and cabbage leaf. Gently boil over medium-low heat, partially covered, until meat is falling-off-the-bone tender, about 2 hours. Strain (if you want a clear broth, line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth), reserving broth and beef and discarding remaining solids. Wipe pot clean.
• Return broth and beef to pot. Coarsely chop remaining onion half and transfer to pot, along with pumpkin and mushroom caps. Simmer over low heat until pumpkin is crisp-tender but still holding its shape, about 10 minutes. Stir in cabbage and basil sprig; simmer until cabbage is tender but still vibrant green, about 5 minutes more. Remove and discard basil. Stir in fish sauce and lime juice. Add more salt, fish sauce, and lime to taste, and serve topped with basil leaves.

SOBA NOODLES WITH SHIITAKES AND BROCCOLI

Steps:

• Remove the stems from the shiitakes and discard. (Though edible, the stems are usually tough.) Slice the mushrooms lengthwise into 3/4-inch pieces. Cut off the broccoli stems, then peel and slice them thinly. Break up the clusters of broccoli florets into small pieces.
• In a large pot, bring four quarts of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook for three to four minutes. Drain, rinse in cold water and set aside.
• Pour one-eighth cup of oil into a wok or large skillet, add half the garlic and ginger and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. Add the broccoli stems and stir-fry for one to two minutes, then add the florets and cook for one minute more. Pour in one-half cup of water or beef stock, cover and cook over medium-high heat until the broccoli is tender but crisp, about three to four minutes. Remove from the skillet and set aside.
• Pour one-eighth cup of oil into the skillet and turn the heat up to high. Add the remaining garlic and ginger and all the shiitakes. Stir-fry for about five minutes, then add the sherry. Once the sherry evaporates, add the beef stock, soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a boil. Turn the heat down to low and return the broccoli mixture and noodles to the skillet, gently tossing them with the other ingredients until they are hot. Sprinkle with scallions. Serve hot or at room temperature.