Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Creamy Sesame Dressing
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 2 ears corn, shucked
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice (from about 2 lemons)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 4 teaspoons packed light brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce
- One 2-inch piece ginger, peeled and thinly sliced into half moons
- One 9.5-ounce package dried buckwheat soba noodles
- 2 cups small sprigs watercress, thick stems trimmed
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1/2 English cucumber, halved and thinly sliced into half moons
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
- Spread the sesame seeds in a medium skillet over medium heat, and toast until golden brown, shaking the pan occasionally, 4 to 5 minutes.
- Let cool, about 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, add the corn to the boiling water, and cook for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the corn to a colander, reserving the boiling water for later use, and run the corn under cold water to cool.
- Cut the kernels from the cobs; set aside.
- Transfer the sesame seeds to a blender and grind for 15 seconds.
- Add the oil, and puree until smooth and emulsified, about 15 seconds.
- Add the lemon juice, soy sauce, sugar, chile-garlic sauce and ginger, and blend for another 15 seconds.
- Add the soba noodles to the boiling water, and cook until the noodles no longer have a hard, chalky bite but are still springy, 3 to 4 minutes.
- Strain the noodles in a colander, and run them under cold water to stop the cooking quickly.
- When the noodles are completely cool, shake the colander vigorously to remove as much water as possible (if the noodles are too wet, they will dilute the dressing).
- Divide the noodles among four bowls.
- Drizzle the dressing over the noodles (use all of the dressing, as the noodles will soak it up).
- Top with the corn, watercress, tomatoes, avocados and cucumbers.
- Toss before eating.
sesame seeds, corn, vegetable oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, chilegarlic sauce, ginger, noodles, sprigs, cherry tomatoes, avocado, cucumber
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/cold-soba-noodle-salad-with-creamy-sesame-dressing.html (may not work)