Soba Noodles With Shishitos And Avocado Recipe

Soba noodles: Japanese buckwheat noodles that have a nutty flavor and are often used in soups and salads.

Sesame oil: A flavorful oil made from sesame seeds, commonly used in Asian cooking for its rich, nutty taste.

Shishito peppers: Small, mild peppers that are typically blistered in a pan and have a slightly smoky flavor.

Avocado: A creamy fruit that adds a rich texture and healthy fats to the dish.

Soy sauce: A salty, umami-rich sauce made from fermented soybeans, essential in many Asian recipes.

Rice vinegar: A mild vinegar made from fermented rice, often used in Asian cuisine for its tangy flavor.

Honey: A natural sweetener produced by bees, used to balance the flavors in the sauce.

Garlic: A pungent bulb used to add depth and flavor to the sauce.

Ginger: A spicy, aromatic root that adds warmth and complexity to the dish.

Sesame seeds: Small seeds used for garnish, adding a nutty flavor and a bit of crunch.

Green onions: Also known as scallions, these are used for garnish and add a fresh, mild onion flavor.

When cooking soba noodles, make sure to rinse them under cold water after draining. This helps to remove excess starch and prevents them from sticking together. Additionally, when blistering shishito peppers, ensure the pan is hot enough to achieve a nice char without overcooking the peppers, which should remain slightly crunchy.

• soba noodles - Substitute with whole wheat spaghetti: Whole wheat spaghetti has a similar texture and nutritional profile to soba noodles.

• sesame oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil provides a different but still rich flavor, and is a healthy alternative.

• shishito peppers - Substitute with padrón peppers: Padrón peppers have a similar mild heat and flavor profile to shishito peppers.

• avocado - Substitute with edamame: Edamame adds a creamy texture and a good source of protein, similar to avocado.

• soy sauce - Substitute with tamari: Tamari is a gluten-free alternative to soy sauce with a similar taste.

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

• honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup provides a similar sweetness and can be used as a natural sweetener.

• garlic - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder, sweeter flavor that can complement the dish well.

• ginger - Substitute with galangal: Galangal has a similar spicy and aromatic quality to ginger.

• sesame seeds - Substitute with chia seeds: Chia seeds provide a similar crunch and nutritional benefits.

• green onions - Substitute with chives: Chives offer a similar mild onion flavor and can be used as a garnish.

• Allow the soba noodles to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make the noodles soggy.
• Transfer the cooled soba noodles with shishito peppers and avocado into an airtight container. If possible, use a container with separate compartments to keep the avocado from getting mashed.
• Store the container in the refrigerator. The dish will stay fresh for up to 3 days.
• If you plan to freeze the dish, omit the avocado as it does not freeze well. Instead, add fresh avocado when you are ready to serve.
• For freezing, place the soba noodles and shishito peppers in a freezer-safe container or a resealable plastic bag. Remove as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The dish can be frozen for up to 1 month.
• When ready to eat, thaw the frozen soba noodles and shishito peppers in the refrigerator overnight.
• Reheat the thawed dish in a pan over medium heat, adding a splash of soy sauce or sesame oil to refresh the flavors.
• Garnish with fresh avocado, sesame seeds, and green onions just before serving to maintain the dish's vibrant taste and texture.

• Stovetop Method:

  1. Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat.
  2. Add a splash of sesame oil or a bit of water to the pan.
  3. Add the leftover soba noodles with shishito peppers and avocado.
  4. Stir gently to combine and heat evenly, about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Ensure the avocado is added towards the end to avoid overcooking.
  6. Garnish with fresh sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

• Microwave Method:

  1. Place the soba noodles with shishito peppers and avocado in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a tablespoon of water or soy sauce to keep the noodles moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
  4. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check the temperature and heat for an additional 30 seconds if needed.
  6. Garnish with fresh sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

• Oven Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the soba noodles with shishito peppers and avocado in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Cover the dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture.
  4. Bake for about 10-15 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Ensure the avocado is added towards the end to avoid overcooking.
  6. Garnish with fresh sesame seeds and green onions before serving.

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

• Colander: Essential for draining the cooked soba noodles.

• Pan: Used to heat sesame oil and cook the shishito peppers until blistered.

• Small bowl: Perfect for mixing the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger to create the sauce.

• Knife: Necessary for slicing the avocado and mincing the garlic.

• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for slicing the avocado and mincing the garlic.

• Grater: Used to grate the ginger for the sauce.

• Tongs: Handy for tossing the soba noodles with the sauce, shishito peppers, and avocado slices.

• Serving bowl: Ideal for serving the final dish.

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

• Spatula: Useful for stirring the shishito peppers while they cook in the pan.

Prep ingredients in advance: Slice the avocado and mince the garlic and ginger ahead of time.

Use pre-cooked noodles: Opt for pre-cooked soba noodles to save boiling time.

Blister peppers quickly: Use a high heat to blister shishito peppers faster.

Make sauce in bulk: Prepare a larger batch of the soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic, and ginger mixture to use for future meals.

Garnish efficiently: Pre-chop green onions and keep sesame seeds handy for quick garnishing.