Spicy Soba Noodles With Shiitakes And Cabbage Recipes

SOBA NOODLES IN BROTH WITH SPINACH AND SHIITAKES

Steps:

• Place the kombu and shiitakes in a large bowl, and cover with 4 1/2 cups hot water. Soak for 30 minutes. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain. Squeeze the mushrooms over the strainer, then rinse. Remove the mushroom stems and discard. Slice the caps thinly.
• Meanwhile, cook the soba noodles. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. When the water comes to a boil, add the soba. As the water comes back to a boil, add 1/2 cup of cold water to prevent it from boiling over. Allow to come back to a boil again, and add another 1/2 cup of cold water. Check for doneness, and if necessary bring back to a boil one more time and add another 1/2 cup of cold water. The soba should be tender all the way through but al dente -- slightly firm to the bite. Transfer immediately to the ice water, and allow to cool for a few minutes, then drain.
• Bring the water back to a boil, salt generously and add the spinach. Blanch for one minute, and transfer to a bowl of ice water. Drain, squeeze out excess liquid, and cut the squeezed bundle of spinach into four pieces.
• Divide the noodles, spinach, mushrooms and green onions among four large soup bowls. In a saucepan, combine the soaking water from the kombu and mushrooms, the sake, mirin and soy sauce. Bring to a simmer. Taste and adjust seasonings. Pour over the ingredients in the soup bowls, and serve at once.

SOBA NOODLES WITH SHIITAKES, BROCCOLI AND TOFU

Steps:

• Combine stock, soy sauce, rice wine or sherry, sugar and salt to taste in a small bowl. Stir until sugar and salt dissolve. Combine garlic, ginger, and pepper flakes or minced chile in another bowl.
• Bring a large saucepan or pot of water to a boil, add salt to taste and baby broccoli. As soon as water comes back to a boil (about 1 minute), use a skimmer to remove broccoli and transfer it to a bowl of cold water. Drain in a colander, then on paper towels. Cut stems away from florets and slice about 1/2 inch thick. Bring water back to a boil and cook soba. Drain and toss with 2 teaspoons sesame oil.
• Place all ingredients within reach of your wok. Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two when added. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of the oil and add tofu. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes, until it begins to color, and remove to a plate. Add remaining oil and garlic, ginger and chile. Stir-fry for no more than 10 seconds and add mushrooms. Stir-fry for 1 minute and add broccoli and the light parts of the scallions. Stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes. Add the noodles, tofu and the stock mixture. Reduce heat to medium and stir-fry 1 to 2 minutes. Add cilantro and the dark green part of the scallions, stir-fry another 30 seconds to a minute, until well combined, and serve.

SPICY GLASS NOODLES WITH SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS AND CABBAGE

Steps:

• Place the noodles in a large bowl, cover with room-temperature water and soak until pliable, about 30 minutes. Drain. Place dried shiitakes in a medium bowl, cover with room-temperature water and soak until hydrated and soft, about 30 minutes. Drain the mushrooms, remove their stems, and julienne the caps.
• While the noodles and mushrooms soak, heat the grapeseed oil in a large lidded skillet over medium-high, uncovered. Stir-fry the garlic, ginger and scallion until light golden, about 1 minute. Add the shiitakes and continue to stir-fry until golden, about 2 minutes.
• Stir in the cabbage and curry powder, then 3 tablespoons soy sauce. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook until the cabbage is wilted and has given up its natural juices, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the drained noodles and remaining 1 tablespoon soy sauce. Increase heat to high, and stir-fry until noodles absorb the juices and are cooked through yet still chewy, 1 to 2 minutes. Drizzle with sesame oil, toss well, sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately.