Soba Noodle Salad

I've not tried this with my son yet but he has similar dishes with hot noodles so I see no reason not to try.  Certainly a meal for adults though or older kids and despite the humble ingredients it's substantial enough to make you feel you've really eaten something.

Soba noodles are made with buckwheat.  They are often served chilled in Japan so having them in a salad isn't a big leap.  Buckwheat if pure, is gluten free.  If you are following a gluten free diet, make sure your noodles specifically say 'gluten free' and also check the sauces you're using.  Soy sauce would be more authentic but I only had fish sauce which makes this non vegetarian.  Substitute for Soy Sauce (or wheat free Tamari) if you prefer.

Soba Noodle Salad - serves 1 grown up

Ingredients

Sauce

2 tbsp Sweet Chilli Sauce
1 tbsp Fish Sauce (or Soy Sauce)
1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
1 tsp Smooth peanut butter

For the Salad

90g, 3oz Soba Noodles
5cm / 2 inches of Cucumber
Half a Carrot
Approx 10 Sugar snap peas (Snap peas)

A small handful of unsalted, chopped peanuts to garnish (optional, exclude if giving to younger kids due to the choking risk or substitute for sesame seeds)

Method

Cook the noodles following pack instructions.

While the noodles are cooking, mix the sauce ingredients, it will be fairly thick so you might need one of those dinky whisks.

Cut the carrot and cucumber into julienne strips and the sugar snap peas into thick slices.

Drain and cool the noodles under running water.  Mix the drained noodles with the sauce and vegetables.

Put into a bowl and top with peanuts if using.

Make it Thrifty:
To save money as unsalted peanuts are always strangely expensive; rinse the salt of unsalted peanuts and use immediately.
Swap soba noodles for regular noodles

I've linked this up to the wellness weekend.