New to Group/Buckwheat Soba

First off, hello. I’m new to the group, a rabid fan of the Straight Dope (literally, but I’ve got shots now), and generally eager to learn. I’m a science wonk, addicted to news radio, and a fan of mostly alternative music (i.e. U2, Radiohead, Bowie, &c.), I’m Jewish/atheist, and that’s more or less it. Ta-da.

Now, the thing is: at a place that just opened near me, they sell FINALLY specialty Asian ingredients. I went out and bought myself a pack of buckwheat miso noodles and some dried shiitake mushrooms (forgot to mention I cook as a hobby). Anyone here have any good recipe ideas? I was thinking something with ginger beef and scallions perhaps.

Anyhow, hello to all, and thanks for having me.

Gently heat 1/2 cup dry sherry in a wok.
Once it begins to steam, add noodles, and cut strips of shitake. Keep it moving.
Once the liquid is absorbed add 3 tbsp peanut oil, lower heat, cover.

2 cans beer,
Scallions.
3 cloves garlic, crushed
Tbsp A-1
Juice of half a lemon.

Mix all. Marinate ginger beef 2 hours. Grill to medium. Dice coarsely.

Arrange noodles on serving platter. Top with grilled beef. Grate just a touch of aged Romano cheese on top.

Place on floor. Call dog.

Make reservations.

Welcome Charlie!!

You may want to check this thread to see about some new recipe ideas.

Man, I thought cooking instructions always went like this:

Remove from plastic
Microwave on High for 2-3mins
Turn over
Microwave on High for another 2-3 mins
Let cool
Enjoy

Welcome! Welcome! I thought I was one of the shy dozen folks on earth happily addicted to soba noodles!

Snuggle in…the company is fine, if somewhat demented.
Well, lots demented…

Cook soba as usual…dress w/ spicy peanut sauce, adorned w/ shredded fresh veggies of choice. Not a recipe as much as vague directions:

  • finely shred veggies of choice; I’m partial to zucchini, carrot, or whatever is in season. Some say blanch; I don’t because the heat of the noodles will do as much cooking as needed. (Hint: bobbit in some sprouts, snow peas just sliced, etc.–the shredding thing is a guideline.)

  • in a bowl, processor, blender, whatever: glop in some peanut butter ( I prefer tahini), a good squeeze of lime/lemon, half (more or less) jalepeno–seeded or not, depending on your taste for heat; some good oil of choice if body is needed; and at least 2 Tbsp. finely chopped cilantro. (I really love cilantro; some loathe the soapy taste.)

Ajdust the shootin’ match to your taste. Pinch in some kosher salt, thin w/ tomatoe juice, toss in some finely chopped parsely…wing it.

Drain soba; toss w/ veggies of choice and a titch of dressing; when all snuggled in, add rest of dressing. Top w/ toasted peanuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds or freshly grated parmesan. (Peeled, seeded and chopped vine tomatoes on top never come amiss either.)

Heck, this isn’t a recipe; it cant’ even pass muster as “fusion cuisine”. But it sure is tasty, fast and easy.

Veb