Soba Noodle Salad with Ginger-Peanut Dressing

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== Description ==
Soba are Japanese buckwheat noodles - you can find them at some grocery stores; if not, any Asian food store should have them. (The recipe originally called for ramen, but I just couldn't do that to people). I've also had good luck finding dried shiitake mushrooms at a reasonable price at Asian food stores. Prep time includes the final sitting time.
== Ingredients ==
=== Dressing ===
* 2 tablespoons ginger, minced
* ¼ cup sweet rice wine (mirin)
* 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar or brown sugar
* ¼ teaspoon sea salt
* 3 tablespoons peanut butter
* ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
* 2 tablespoons soy sauce
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1 teaspoon sesame oil
=== Salad ===
* 1 lb asparagus
* 2 ounces fresh snow peas
* 1 red bell pepper
* 3 ounces shiitake mushrooms
* 1 cup bean sprouts, rinsed
* 8 ounces soba noodles
* ¼ cup roasted peanuts, chopped
== Directions ==
# Combine all dressing ingredients in a small pan and whisk over low heat until smooth.
# Set aside.
# Trim the asparagus and cut into 2-inch pieces.
# Cut snow peas into thirds after pulling the strings.
# Cook the asparagus in boiling water for 3 minutes (time it!).
# Add the snow peas and cook another 30 seconds, then drain immediately in a colander and rinse with cold water until cool.
# Pat the vegetables dry and put into a bowl.
# Cut the pepper into ¼ inch slices and slice the mushrooms thinly.
# Toss the pepper and mushrooms with the asparagus, snow peas, and bean sprouts as well as 3 tbs of dressing, then refrigerate.
# Bring a pot of water to a boil, break the soba noodles into halves or thirds, and cook until tender.
# Drain and rinse.
# Toss the noodles with the vegetable mix and the remaining dressing, then refrigerate for 15 minutes to let the flavors blend and the noodles absorb some of the dressing.
# Garnish with peanuts and serve.
Category:Asparagus Recipes
Category:Mung bean sprout Recipes
Category:Japanese Salads
Category:Mirin Recipes
Category:Red bell pepper Recipes
Category:Shiitake mushroom Recipes
Category:Snow pea Recipes
Category:Soba Recipes