Cold Soba Noodles With Miso And Smoked Tofu Epicurious Food

COLD SOBA NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and add soba noodles. Reduce heat to a simmer.
• Cook noodles for 2-3 minutes.
• Drain and run under cold water until cool to touch.
• Add the noodles to a large bowl with the edamame, bell pepper and tofu.
• Place the almond butter and remaining ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree sauce.
• Pour sauce over the noodles and toss to combine.
• Serve.

SOBA SALAD WITH MISO DRESSING

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large pot and add 2 tablespoons salt.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine the miso paste, ginger, soy sauce, and lime juice in a blender and blend, at medium speed until smooth. Add the egg and blend until combined. With the motor running, slowly add the oil. Once the dressing is smooth, add pepper to taste; you won't need salt, because the miso and soy sauce are salty. (The dressing can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated, covered.)
• Add the soba noodles to the boiling water and cook, stirring often, until al dente. Drain the noodles and rinse well under cold running water. Drain well, transfer to a baking sheet, then spread out and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine the noodles with the carrots, scallions, and radishes. Toss with the miso dressing and serve at room temperature or cold. (The soba salad can be made up to 2 hours in advance.)

CHILLED SOBA WITH TOFU AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Simmer mushroom in water in a small saucepan, covered, 15 minutes. Add kombu and barely simmer, covered, 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large glass measure, pressing on and discarding solids. Return 2 cups liquid (add water if necessary) to saucepan. Add soy sauce, mirin, ponzu, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and bring to a boil, stirring until sugar has dissolved. Remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil, then cool in pan in a large ice bath.
• Cook noodles and vegetables:
• Blanch sugar snaps in a large pot of unsalted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large colander set in ice bath to stop cooking. Lift colander to drain. Transfer sugar snaps to a bowl. Meanwhile, return water to a boil. Blanch spinach until just wilted, about 30 seconds, then cool and drain in same manner. Squeeze out excess water. Add to sugar snaps.
• Return water to a boil.
• Add noodles and cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally, until tender. Drain in colander and rinse with cold water. Cool in ice bath until very cold (add more ice to water as necessary). Drain well.
• Carefully drain tofu and pat dry. Cut into 3/4-inch cubes.
• Whisk sauce, then pour 1 1/2 cups sauce into a large bowl. Add noodles, sugar snaps, spinach, and half of scallions and toss. Serve in shallow bowls, topped with tofu, remaining scallions, and ginger. Drizzle with some of remaining sauce and serve remainder on the side.