Spicy noodle dish livens up the brown bag

  • The Washington Post
  • Tuesday, October 21, 2008 2:33pm
  • Life

This vegetarian noodle salad satisfies with its variety of textures, colors and flavors. It keeps well at room temperature, making it perfect for brown-bagging. The recipe scales up easily, and any leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.

Almond butter is available at natural food stores, Whole Foods Market and Trader Joe’s. Loosely based on a recipe by Heidi Swanson at www.101cookbooks.com, the following recipe serves 1.

SPICY ALMOND SOBA NOODLES WITH EDAMAME

2 ounces dried soba noodles, preferably Eden brand

1/2 cup shelled edamame (may use frozen)

1 tablespoon almond butter (may substitute peanut or other nut butter)

2 teaspoons rice vinegar

1medium clove garlic, crushed then minced

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to taste

2 to 4 teaspoons hot water

Sea salt

1 scallion, white and light-green parts, cut crosswise into thin slices

1/2 medium red bell pepper, cut lengthwise into thin slices

1 tablespoon almonds, toasted, then coarsely chopped (see note)

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over medium-high heat.

Add the soba noodles and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or according to package directions, until barely tender. Use tongs to transfer the cooked noodles to an individual-serving bowl, reserving the cooking water in the pot; return the water to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the edamame and cook for about 5 minutes or until tender. Drain and add to the noodles.

Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine the almond butter, rice vinegar, garlic and crushed red pepper flakes in a small bowl. Add the hot water as needed to reach the desired consistency, stirring to mix well. Add salt to taste; adjust seasoning as necessary.

Add the dressing to the noodles and edamame, along with the scallion, bell pepper and chopped almonds; toss to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Note: To toast nuts, spread them on a baking sheet and place in a 350-degree oven, shaking the sheet occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts burn quickly.

Per serving: 461 calories, 19 g protein, 59 g carbohydrates, 19 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 273 mg sodium, 8 g dietary fiber

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Provided by Bridges Pets, Gifts, & Water Gardens.
Discover where to find the best pet supplies in town

Need the perfect store to spoil your furry friends? Herald readers have you covered.

VW Jetta SEL is a sedan that passes for a coupe. Photo provided by Volkswagen U.S. Media.
2025 VW Jetta Offers Greater Refinement, Technology And Value

A Perfect Choice For Small Families And Commuters

2025 Land Rover Range Rover Velar (Photo provided by Land Rover).
2025 Range Rover Velar SUV tends toward luxury

Elegant styling and a smaller size distinguish this member of the Land Rover lineup.

Honda Ridgeline TrailSport photo provided by Honda Newsroom
2025 Honda Ridgeline AWDt: A Gentlemen’s Pickup

TrailSport Delivers City Driving Luxury With Off-Road Chops

Photo provided by Subaru.
Subaru Forester is all-new for 2025, a sixth generation

The enduring compact SUV is sleeker but doesn’t ditch its original rugged looks.

(Getty Images)
Stacked and packed: Best sub sandwich spots in town

Craving a delicious sub sandwich? Where will you go first? Let’s find out.

Pippin the Biewer Terrier sits in the lap of her owner Kathy West on Monday, May 20, 2024, at West’s home in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald).
Top 3 pet grooming places in Snohomish County you’ll love

Looking for the perfect place to treat your furry friend? We have the answer for you.

Children fish in the water and climb near the renovated boat launch at Kayak Point Regional County Park on Friday, June 14, 2024, near Stanwood, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Reconnect with nature: Best campgrounds and RV parks to explore

Herald readers voted the top three spots for your next outdoor adventure

A couple stands on a large piece of driftwood in the wind at Mukilteo Lighthouse Park on Friday, Jan. 4, 2018 in Mukilteo, WA. There is a small craft advisory in effect until 10 pm Friday. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chasing sunsets: The best spots to watch the day’s end

Looking for the perfect place to catch a stunning sunset? Herald readers have you covered.

2025 Subaru WRX (Photo provided by Subaru).
2025 Subaru WRX replaces former TR trim with new tS model

The rally-inspired sport compact sedan is an ongoing favorite among enthusiasts

CX-90 With Three-Rows photo provided by Mazda USA Newsroom
2025 CX-90 Is A Stylish, Fun-To-Drive Package

Inline 4-Cylinder Hybrid Includes Plug-In Electric Option

Edmonds
Almost forgotten Tacoma artist exhibiting in Edmonds

Beulah Loomis Hyde died in 1983. A first-of-its-kind retrospective is open at Cascadia Art Museum until February.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.