Sweet Somen Noodles Recipes

PEANUTTY SOMEN NOODLES WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Cook noodles according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, combine chicken broth, soy sauce, peanut butter, sesame oil, and hot sauce. Whisk until blended and set pan over medium heat. Bring to a simmer. Simmer 10 minutes.
• Heat peanut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic and saute 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and saute 2 minutes. Add shrimp and saute 2 minutes. Add 1 cup of the peanut sauce sauce and simmer 2 minutes, until shrimp are bright pink and cooked through. Drain noodles and add to shrimp mixture. Toss to combine.
• Transfer noodle mixture to 4 individual plates and top each serving with peanuts, scallions and cilantro, if desired.
• Reserve remaining peanut sauce for additional meals such as Robin's Steak Salad with Peanut-lime Dressing, or Chicken Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce.

SUMMERTIME SōMEN NOODLES

Steps:

• In a large pot of boiling water, cook the sōmen noodles as directed on the package. Drain the noodles and place them in a large bowl filled with ice and water to serve. Your sōmen noodles will be the highlight of the table, so serve them up in a gorgeous bowl.
• Serve family-style in the middle of your table. Using tongs or chopsticks, place the noodles into individual bowls, shaking off any residual water before serving.
• Add your choice of sauces and toppings. I usually top with a touch of shōyu and rice vinegar, and offer a variety of toppings- negi, katsuobushi, arugula, tofu, avocado slices, etc.

CHILLED SOMEN NOODLES (HIYASHI SOMEN)

Steps:

• Make dipping sauce by combining the dashi (or dashi granules and 1 cup water), mirin, and soy sauce in a medium saucepan. Bring just to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Force-cool the sauce by pouring into a medium-size metal mixing bowl, placing into a large bowl of ice cubes and water, and twirling, taking care not to spill, until cooled. (Note: this is an important step; it won't taste right if you just let it cool slowly!)When cooled, refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cook noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse well under cold water, drain again, and place in a bowl of cold water.
• To serve, place a mound of noodles into individual glass bowls, tuck in a few ice cubes and pour in a small amount of water (not enough to cover; just to dampen). Sprinkle with cilantro leaves to taste.
• On little individual plates, place a small mound of sliced green onion and a dab of wasabi. Pour some dipping sauce into small individual bowls.
• Each person can season his or her sauce to taste with the onions and wasabi, then pick up a bunch of noodles (chopsticks really work the best, but you can use a fork, too), allow water to drip back into bowl, dip into sauce, and eat.
• For a somewhat heartier meal, add some of the suggested additions (in the description above) along with the cilantro leaves when serving. I like to serve this with a simple salad of tomato wedges, sliced cucumber, and either lettuce or Napa cabbage with a Japanese-style dressing.

SWEET AND SAVORY GARLIC NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook spaghetti in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 12 minutes. Drain.
• Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add celery and onion and saute until soft, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute until fragrant, about 1 minute, being careful it doesn't burn.
• Mix soy sauce and sugar together in a small bowl; stir in to the vegetable mixture. Immediately add drained spaghetti and cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. Serve hot.