Warm Soba Noodle Salad with Grilled Shrimp
| June 27, 2011 | Posted by Lauren Keating under Asian, Fish and Seafood, One Pan, Quick Weeknight Meals, Summer |
Because I plan my meals for the week ahead of time and buy groceries as I need them, the available ingredients in my kitchen can vary greatly from week to week. Of course, there are certain items that I always have on hand — either because they’re staples that come together into a quick meal when I haven’t planned ahead or because they’re things that I use all the time. Pasta, lemons, goat cheese. Canned tomatoes. Black beans. Gin.
Lately, an increasing number of Asian ingredients have secured a dedicated spot in my cabinet. Especially seasoned rice wine vinegar and sesame oil. Both of these are easy to find in most grocery stores and add a ton of flavor to all sorts of foods. They make it super easy to prepare quick Asian-inspired dishes like Edamame Salad and these Soba Noodles with Grilled Shrimp.
These noodles are my idea of the perfect summertime meal. They’re fast and easy to make and require minimal effort. They also make great leftovers and don’t even need to be heated up – I think I actually liked them even more the next day, after the flavors had a chance to meld. Unlike other similar dishes that have a tendency to be flat, the combination of rice wine vinegar and lime juice gives these noodles have a nice acidity and a bright flavor that plays really well off the earthy buckwheat noodles and nutty sesame oil. Watery vegetables keep the whole dish light and fresh. Topped with a few grilled shrimp (another ingredient that I’m always sure to keep in my freezer), this salad makes a great light meal for a hot summer night.
Warm Soba Noodle Salad with Grilled Shrimp
Prep time: 10 minutes, Cook time: 20 minutes
Yield: Approx. 6 Servings
- 1 pkg. Soba Noodles
- 1/2 lb. Bok Choy
- 1 Cucumber, peeled
- 4 Carrots, peeled
- 1/4 cup loosely packed Cilantro
- 1/4 cup Seasoned Rice Vinegar
- 1/4 cup Sesame Oil
- 2 Tbs. Soy Sauce
- 1 pinch Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 Tbs. grated fresh Ginger
- 2 Tbs. Sake
- 1/2 lb. Shrimp
Cook the noodles according to the directions on the package. Drain and set aside.
Allow the noodles to cool slightly while you prepare the vegetables. Chop the bok choy. Cut the cucumber in half length-wise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Slice the flesh of the cucumber into half moons. Shred the carrots into thin ribbons with a vegetable peeler. Combine the vegetables and cilantro with the noodles.
In a small dish, mix together the vinegar, oil, soy sauce, and ginger. Season with crushed red pepper flakes. Pour the dressing over the noodles.
Sprinkle the sake over the shrimp. Grill over high heat for 10 minutes, or until cooked through. Serve the shrimp over the noodles.
love it my kind of meal and the way you shop sounds like me
A very different and interesting sounding dish.
I am the same way… I buy my ingredients for everything I plan to make that week, and by the end of the week, there’s not too much left. But most of the ingredients in this dish are definitely staples… I’ll have to throw this one together soon!
I am still on a soft diet but These noodles look quite amazing. I always keep sesame oil and rice wine vinegar on hand too! especially now that i have an asian roommate
What I love about this dish is it’s versatility! I bet you could throw in just about any protein or veggies and it’d still be super tasty!
Noodle salads are one of my favorite things about Spring & Summer. Especially as they can be eaten as leftovers, cold. I’ve submitted some favorites of mine to recipe contests
in the past; I am that enamored of them! This looks fantastic and like an above poster noted, very versatile. Yum!
My package of soba noodles seem to last a lifetime, so thanks for this recipe! Love that it makes an even better leftovers lunch to take to work!
I totally relate to the planning of meals ahead of time and throwing stuff together to form a dish. This looks amazing though. I can’t wait to try it! Thanks!
-Mandy
http://www.learn-laugh-cook.blogspot.com
Hi Lauren, I just LOVE your blog!!!! And had to stop by and say the last two recipes you posted look amazing. I can’t wait to try the soba and the mussels. Thanks so much! Hope you have a great weekend.
Just found your blog. You have great looking recipes, and I definitely plan to make this one soon. I love soba noodles! Can’t wait to read more.
I found your blog last week and tried the soba noodle salad last night. It was great! I wouldn’t know about leftovers tasting better the next day because the family ate the whole thing!
I’m so glad that you liked it!