Cold Sesame Noodles With Kale And Shiitakes Recipe

Spaghetti or rice noodles: The base of the dish, providing a chewy texture that pairs well with the sauce.

Kale: Adds a nutritious and slightly bitter element to the dish.

Shiitake mushrooms: Brings an earthy, umami flavor that complements the other ingredients.

Sesame oil: Provides a rich, nutty flavor essential for the sauce.

Soy sauce: Adds a salty, umami taste to the dish.

Rice vinegar: Offers a tangy acidity that balances the flavors.

Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to the sauce.

Toasted sesame seeds: Used as a garnish, they add a crunchy texture and extra sesame flavor.

Garlic: Provides a pungent, aromatic base for the dish.

Ginger: Adds a warm, spicy note that enhances the overall flavor.

When preparing kale, remove the tough stems before chopping to ensure a more tender texture in the final dish. Additionally, toasting the sesame seeds in a dry skillet for a few minutes until they are golden brown will enhance their nutty flavor, adding depth to the overall taste of the cold sesame noodles.

• spaghetti - Substitute with soba noodles: Soba noodles have a similar texture and are traditionally used in Asian cuisine, making them a great alternative.

• spaghetti - Substitute with zucchini noodles: For a low-carb option, zucchini noodles offer a similar texture and can absorb the flavors well.

• kale - Substitute with spinach: Spinach has a similar texture and nutritional profile, making it a good alternative.

• kale - Substitute with Swiss chard: Swiss chard has a slightly different flavor but a similar texture and nutritional benefits.

• shiitake mushrooms - Substitute with cremini mushrooms: Cremini mushrooms have a similar texture and umami flavor, making them a suitable replacement.

• shiitake mushrooms - Substitute with portobello mushrooms: Portobello mushrooms offer a meaty texture and rich flavor, similar to shiitake mushrooms.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can provide a similar richness, though it lacks the distinct sesame flavor.

• sesame oil - Substitute with peanut oil: Peanut oil has a similar nutty flavor and high smoke point, making it a good alternative.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative that offers a similar umami flavor.

• soy sauce - Substitute with coconut aminos: Coconut aminos provide a similar salty and umami flavor but are soy-free and lower in sodium.

• rice vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar has a similar acidity and can be used in the same quantity.

• rice vinegar - Substitute with white wine vinegar: White wine vinegar offers a similar tangy flavor and can be used as a direct replacement.

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and can be used in the same quantity.

• honey - Substitute with agave nectar: Agave nectar offers a similar sweetness and is a good vegan alternative.

• toasted sesame seeds - Substitute with toasted sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide a similar crunch and nutty flavor.

• toasted sesame seeds - Substitute with toasted flax seeds: Flax seeds offer a similar texture and nutritional benefits.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder but similar flavor profile and can be used in the same quantity.

• garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used as a direct replacement, though it lacks the fresh flavor.

• ginger - Substitute with ground ginger: Ground ginger can be used in a smaller quantity (about ¼ tsp) to replace fresh ginger.

• ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal offers a similar spicy and aromatic flavor, though it is slightly more pungent.

• Allow the noodles to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the dish soggy.
• Transfer the cold sesame noodles into an airtight container. Ensure the container is clean and dry to maintain freshness.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The dish can be kept for up to 3-4 days, retaining its flavor and texture.
• If you plan to freeze the noodles, portion them into individual servings. This makes it easier to thaw only what you need.
• Place each portion in a freezer-safe bag or container. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the containers with the date of freezing. This helps you keep track of how long the noodles have been stored.
• When ready to eat, thaw the noodles in the refrigerator overnight. This gradual thawing helps maintain the texture.
• For a quicker thaw, you can use the microwave. Place the noodles in a microwave-safe dish and use the defrost setting.
• After thawing, give the noodles a good stir to redistribute the sauce and ingredients.
• If the noodles seem dry after thawing, you can refresh them with a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil.
• Enjoy the cold sesame noodles as a quick and convenient meal, perfect for busy days or when you need a tasty, ready-made dish.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Place a skillet over medium heat and add a splash of sesame oil.
  2. Add the leftover cold sesame noodles with kale and shiitakes to the skillet.
  3. Stir frequently, ensuring the noodles are evenly heated. This should take about 3-5 minutes.
  4. If the noodles seem dry, add a tablespoon of soy sauce or a bit of water to loosen them up.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Transfer the noodles to a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a small corner open for steam to escape.
  3. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through to ensure even heating.
  4. Check the temperature and microwave for an additional 30 seconds if needed.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the noodles in an oven-safe dish and cover with aluminum foil.
  3. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, or until the noodles are heated through.
  4. Stir halfway through the baking time to ensure even heating.

• Steaming Method:

  1. Set up a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water.
  2. Place the noodles in the steamer basket and cover with a lid.
  3. Steam for about 5-7 minutes, or until the noodles are heated through.
  4. Stir occasionally to ensure even heating.

• Cold Option:

  1. If you prefer to enjoy the noodles cold, simply remove them from the fridge.
  2. Toss with a bit of extra sesame oil or soy sauce to refresh the flavors.
  3. Serve immediately, garnished with additional toasted sesame seeds if desired.

• Pot: Used to cook the noodles according to the package instructions.

• Colander: Essential for draining and rinsing the noodles under cold water.

• Skillet: Needed to sauté the garlic, ginger, shiitake mushrooms, and kale.

• Wooden spoon: Useful for stirring the ingredients in the skillet.

• Mixing bowl: Used to whisk together the remaining sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.

• Whisk: Helps in mixing the sauce ingredients thoroughly.

• Knife: Necessary for chopping the kale and slicing the shiitake mushrooms.

• Cutting board: Provides a surface to chop and slice the vegetables.

• Garlic press: Handy for mincing the garlic cloves.

• Grater: Used to grate the ginger.

• Measuring spoons: Ensures accurate measurement of the sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, and honey.

• Serving bowl: Ideal for tossing the noodles with the sauce and vegetables before serving.

• Tongs: Useful for mixing the noodles with the sauce and vegetables.

• Small bowl: Perfect for holding the toasted sesame seeds before garnishing.

Prep ingredients ahead: Chop the kale and slice the shiitake mushrooms in advance to save time during cooking.

Use pre-minced garlic and ginger: Opt for store-bought minced garlic and grated ginger to cut down on prep time.

Cook noodles in advance: Boil the noodles earlier in the day, rinse with cold water, and store in the fridge until ready to use.

One-bowl sauce mixing: Whisk the sauce ingredients together in the same bowl you'll use to toss the noodles, reducing dishwashing time.

Batch cook: Double the recipe and store leftovers for a quick meal later in the week.