Stir-fried Soba Noodles with Vegetables and Tofu
Author: 
Serves: 4-5
 
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces soba noodles (either wheat/buckwheat blend, all buckwheat or you can use your favorite wheat or brown rice spaghetti)
  • Pinch of kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
  • 14 ounce package of firm or extra-firm tofu, preferably non-GMO
  • 1 teaspoon arrowroot or cornstarch, preferably non-GMO
  • 4 teaspoons Chinese rice wine or dry sherry
  • 2 Tablespoons shoyu or tamari
  • 1 Tablespoon water
  • ΒΌ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 quarter-size pieces of peeled fresh ginger
  • 4 scallions, white and green parts sliced
  • sea salt to taste
  • 2 Tablespoons unrefined peanut or coconut oil
  • 3 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage or green cabbage
  • 4 ounces (about 2 cups) fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps wiped clean and thinly slice
Instructions
  1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add a pinch of kosher salt and soba noodles, Stir well and cook until just done, about 4 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cool water to stop the cooking. Drain well and return back to the pot. Add sesame oil and stir to coat. You can do this in advance.
  2. Slice tofu into three equal slabs. Press each slab with a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. This will make the tofu able to absorb other flavors. Cut into 1-inch cubes.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together arrowroot, rice wine, shoyu, and water. Set aside.
  4. Heat 1 Tablespoon oil over medium high heat in a wok or large skillet and swirl around the sides of the wok. Add the red pepper flakes, garlic, ginger and scallions. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the tofu and stir-fry until lightly colored, about 5 to 6 minutes. Don't move it around too much, otherwise it will stick.
  5. Add the remaining tablespoon of oil along with the cabbage and mushrooms and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Stir-fry one minute until just wilted, but not cooked all the way.
  6. Give the reserved sauce a quick whisk and then add to the wok along with the noodles. Stir-fry, tossing constantly to heat through. You can remove the garlic and ginger before serving, if desired.
Notes
This a delicately flavored noodle dish. If you prefer it saucier, just double the sauce ingredients.
Recipe by Pamela Salzman at https://pamelasalzman.com/stir-fried-soba-noodles-with-vegetables-and-tofu/