Cold Zaru Soba Noodles With Dipping Sauce Food

ZARU SOBA (CHILLED SOBA NOODLES)

Steps:

• To make the dipping sauce, add the dashi, soy sauce, sake and sugar to a saucepan, and bring the mixture to a boil. Continue boiling for 1 minute to vaporize the alcohol in the sake and soy sauce. Set this aside to cool.
• To boil the soba noodles, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add the soba noodles and stir for about a minute to ensure the noodles don't stick together. Continue boiling the noodles for the amount of time specified on the package.
• Transfer the noodles to a strainer using chopsticks or tongs (leaving the boiling liquid in the pot).
• Wash the soba under cold running water to cool it to room temperature while removing any excess starch on the noodles' surface.
• Transfer the soba to a bowl of ice water and let the noodles chill for a moment.
• Serve the noodles by scooping small amounts of soba out of the ice water and bundling them up into small mounds on a zaru or large flat basket.
• Serve immediately with the dipping sauce and condiments.
• Once you've finished eating the cold soba, reheat the boiling liquid and serve it in a teapot to add to the remaining dipping sauce to make a broth.

COLD SOBA NOODLES WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt it. Cook noodles until tender but not mushy. Drain, and quickly rinse under cold running water until cold. Drain well.
• Combine dashi or stock, soy sauce and mirin. Taste, and add a little more soy if the flavor is not strong enough. Serve noodles with garnishes, with sauce on side for dipping (or spooning over).