Tasty Soba

ingredients

6 ounces soba (buckwheat) noodles
For dressing
1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sugar if desired
Can also add miso, mirin sauce, other spices. For garnish cucumber, carrots, mushrooms, tofu, seawead, etc.

1
In a 4-quart kettle bring 3 1/2 quarts salted water to a boil for noodles. Have ready a large bowl of ice and cold water.
2
Make dressing:
3
In a small sieve set over a small bowl press gingerroot to extract juice. In a bowl stir together 1 teaspoon ginger juice and remaining dressing ingredients with salt to taste.
4
Add noodles to boiling water and cook 2 to 4 minutes, or until al dente. Drain noodles in a colander and immediately transfer to ice water. Swish noodles until cold and drain well. Add noodles to dressing and toss well. Noodles may be made 1 hour ahead and chilled, covered. Toss noodles before serving.

1
To make a broth:
2
Place 1/4 cup soy sauce, 1 tablespoon each brown sugar, chopped ginger and chopped garlic, plus 1 cup water, in a pot over high heat. Next, divide 20 shiitake mushrooms into stems and caps. When soy mixture is at a boil, add caps, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Remove caps; reserve. Add stems plus 5 cups water, bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer covered, 30 minutes. Discard stems.

Source: WoWo Kitchen