If they don't already, then soba noodles should have a consistent home in your pantry. The traditional Japanese buckwheat noodles go beyond just the taste factor; they're full of fiber, B-vitamins, and the less common bioflavanoid rutin, an amazing asset for reducing inflammation and improving circulation. Celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak and Skinny Bitch author Kim Barnouin both sing soba's praises, and after cooking up these recipes, you will too.
After learning what Skinny Bitch author Kim Barnouin's kitchen staples are, I took a peek in my own cabinets. Besides having a lot of the basics (and everything on Kim's list), I realized that one of my staples is a bit more unusual: soba noodles. Growing up with an Asian mom, I was fed soba noodles as much as other kids were given PB&J. My mom knew that it was an easy way to get essential nutrients into my diet — I mean, what kid doesn't love noodles?
Extremely versatile, soba noodles can be served hot or cold, and work well in soups, salads, and stir-frys. And because they're made from buckwheat flour, they're also good for you. Trainer Harley Pasternak loves soba noodles because they're full of fiber, and I love that they're full of protein, iron, and amino acids.
Soba noodles are in most major supermarkets in the Asian grocery aisle, or you can find them at any Japanese market. Pick some up tonight and use them in this healthy tofu and peanut sauce stir-fry — you'll be a soba convert.
Source: Flick user kadluba
If you have any yummy chicken leftover from making twice-glazed Asian barbecued chicken last night, why not reheat it (or leave cold) and toss it in with this light soba salad? The smokey and sweet flavors of the barbecued chicken will add some excitement to this crunchy, tangy, and easy-to-make salad.
See the recipe after the jump
What is not to love about a stir fry? This recipe calls for tofu, which makes cooking this meal easy since you can just add it at the end. To make this meal work for the whole family (read picky five-year-old), I pull out broccoli, tofu and noodles to serve my girls before adding the spicy sauce. It worked out well; everyone was fed and happy.
To see the recipe, just read more
Wondering what to do with leftover quail? Here's an idea: make a delicious soy citrus glaze, brush it on the quail for maximum flavor, and serve over a bed of greens and soba noodles. It's a wonderfully elegant use of the leftover game. Also, this meal comes together quickly so you won't have to spend lots of time slaving in the kitchen. To take a look at the recipe, read more
These days you can find the ingredients necessary to make tasty Japanese (and other Asian countries for that matter) dishes in most major supermarkets around the country. Soy sauce used to be the only common component, but now Mirin, miso paste, and even Asian vegetables - like seaweed are prevalent. Tonight's super swift dinner incorporates these flavors in a Japanese style noodle soup. Soba is a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat and it pairs nicely with mushrooms and spinach. Before you make it, you have to read the recipe, so read more
