Friday, January 30, 2009

Cold Soba, Sesame and Carrot Salad

OH THANK GOODNESS IT'S FRIDAY!! Can you tell I am happy it's finally the end of the week? Yesterday and today are the two days I have been looking forward to all month and they could not have come soon enough! Last's night's dinner at Comme Ca was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be...and more. I think I am going to be in a three day food coma. I brought my camera with me, took (dark) pictures and will hopefully be posting my thoughts before the weekend is over. I am also so incredibly excited for tonight because I get to see two of my favorite artists live! Adele is playing at the Wiltern and James Morrison is opening the show. The last time I saw Adele live I was completely blown away that her voice is just as beautiful (if not better) live than on the album. I know I go on and on about Adele, but she is just so amazingly talented, you really all should get to know this wonderful artist. I just know it's going to be an amazing night.

Ok, I am going to stop blabbing about seeing this show. Let's talk about the salad now, shall we? I found it the other day on one of my favorite websites The Kitchn. I often think they are in my head and know exactly what I am feeling like eating or what I have in my kitchen that I need to use up. Like I said, when I made the fritters the other day, I kind of went around the farmers market picking up produce without really knowing what I would be doing with it. I had a bunch of carrots left over after the fritters and used some of them up in the salad. The rest I just munched on which I love because to me carrots are quite the addictive snack. I love the simplicity of flavors in this salad and I think it is a good starting off point for a salad of this nature. I added a little bit of honey to sweeten up the dressing and I think I will definitely make this again with even more vegetables. The recipe calls for just the green parts of the scallions, but I used the whole thing. I didn't toast the sesame seeds, mostly because I was feeling lazy. As usual, I reduced the amount of ingredients in this recipe for just me. I didn't have the mugwort soba called for in the recipe, so I just used a single serving of regular soba and adjusted the other ingredients accordingly. This is definitely a recipe that is to taste so the measurements are all approximate. Feel free to add or subtract whatever you want. Ok, I know I have been going on and on about how fabulous the end of my week has been. What do you guys have planned for the weekend?

Cold Soba, Sesame, and Carrot Salad
(Adapted from The Kitchn)

1 serving soba
2 carrots
2 scallions
1 teaspoon sesame oil, or to taste
1 tablespoon rice vinegar, or to taste
2 teaspoons soy sauce, or to taste
1 teaspoon honey, or to taste
Sesame seeds

Cook the noodles 4-5 minutes, or according to package instructions. Drain and toss with a small amount of vegetable oil to keep them from sticking together. Put the noodles in the refrigerator to cool.

Peel the carrots and shave with a peeler (or mandoline if you have one). You should have a cup of loose carrot shavings. Thinly slice the scallions.

Whisk together the sesame oil, vinegar, and soy sauce and taste. Adjust to taste. Toss the chilled noodles together with the dressing. Add the carrots and scallions and sesame seeds and toss. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

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14 comments:

Diana said...

I love all the pretty colors! I bet it would be super yum with some shelled edamame mixed in! But I pretty much like edamame in everything. :)

Anonymous said...

TGIF to the nth degree. Just adore Adele. Literally hold her on a pedastal. Lucky you to see her tonight at the Wiltern!!!

vanillasugarblog said...

couldn't agree more with you about Adele. her voice is breathtaking! vocal talent for sure, I pray she never takes the 'pop' road.
have a good weekend, love the noodles!

Erica said...

This looks awesome. I bet the combination of all the ingredients for the sauce are just perfect together. Have SO much fun at the concert! She does have a pretty amazing voice (almost as good as mine haha). We're out to din din with friends tonight and then lots of errands etc to run otherwise!

Esi said...

Diana, you're right! Edamame would be great in this. I think some broccoli too!

Duo Dishes, is the day over yet?

Dawn, I agree. I think she will continue to stay true to her roots though. She's fantastic!

Erica, have fun with all your weekend plans!

Unknown said...

have a great weekend!! this looks great, and i might just have to come live with you in so cal... :)

Anonymous said...

I'd love to see Adele. Lucky you! The soba salad looks delicious. I've been craving some kind of Asian noodle salad.

veggie belly said...

I'm glad its friday too! These noodles look gorgeous! I'd love to make this dish, but keep the noodles hot, do you think that will work? Enjoy your weekend :)

Heather said...

i loooooooooooooove sesame noodles. these sound so good. i love carrots!

Esi said...

I'm about to leave for the show! So excited!

veggie belly, I think this would be great warm. I had it at room temperature which I actually preferred over having it cold.

test it comm said...

This sounds simple and good. I like the sweet, salty and sour combo.

Summer said...

Perfect, I just cleaned out my pantry and found some soba noodles I forgot about. Have fun at Adele!

Anonymous said...

This salad is so appetizing with the bright colors.

Jessica604 said...

Nice. I have everything to make it (except for the scallions) on hand - perhaps I'll make this for lunch tomorrow!