Sesame Soba Noodles with Collard Greens and Tempeh Croutons

I’m a complete noodle fanatic, but a bowl of pasta with tomato sauce doesn’t quite do the trick for me. For me, an ideal noodle dish is one in which veggies have at least equal billing. This Asian-flavored dish of soba noodles and calcium-rich collard greens is flavored with a triple dose of sesame (another great source of calcium): tahini, seeds, and oil. Another bonus — soba noodles made purely of buckwheat are gluten free. If that’s not of concern to you, other long noodles — udon or even whole wheat spaghetti — can be substituted. Recipe by Nava Atlas, from Living the Farm Sanctuary Life by Gene Baur with Gene Stone, © 2015 by Gene Baur. Photographs © 2015 by Rodale Inc. Reprinted by Permission of Rodale Books.

Serves: 4
Total time: 25 to 30 minutes

Sauce

• 1/3 cup tahini
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium natural soy sauce or tamari, or more if needed
• 2 tablespoons natural granulated sugar (cane, coconut, or date) or agave nectar

Tempeh croutons

• 2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sodium natural soy sauce or tamari
• 1 package (8 ounces) tempeh, any variety, cut into 1/2″ dice

Noodles

• 1 package (8 ounces) soba (buckwheat) noodles
• 10 to 12 collard green leaves
• 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil
• 1 large red or yellow onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
• 1/4 small head green cabbage, cut into long, narrow shreds
• 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into long, narrow strips
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, basil, or Thai basil leaves, or more as desired
• 1 tablespoon black or tan sesame seeds Red-pepper flakes or Sriracha sauce

To make the sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tahini, lime juice, soy sauce or tamari, and sugar or agave nectar.

To make the croutons: In a large or wide-bottomed skillet, heat the oil and soy sauce or tamari over medium heat. Add the tempeh and stir to coat. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the tempeh until most sides are golden brown. Remove the tempeh croutons to a plate.

To make the noodles: Cook the noodles according to package directions. When they’re al dente, remove from the heat and drain.

Meanwhile, cut the stems from the collard leaves with kitchen shears or a sharp knife. Stack 6 or so halves of leaves at a time. Roll the leaves up tightly from one of the narrow ends, almost like a cigar shape, then thinly slice them. Let them unroll to create ribbons of collard greens. Give them a good rinse in a colander.

In the same skillet used to make the croutons, heat the oil. Add the onion and cook over medium heat until softened and golden. Add the collard ribbons, cover, and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, or until they wilt down a bit. Add the cabbage and bell pepper. Increase the heat and cook for 3 minutes, or just until the veggies are on the other side of raw. Remove the skillet from the heat.

Add the cooked noodles to the pan and use a large fork to mix the noodles thoroughly with the veggies. Pour the sauce over the mixture. Add the cilantro or basil and sesame seeds. Scatter the croutons on top. Season with the pepper flakes or Sriracha to taste. This can be served warm or at room temperature.

• Here are more recipes for enjoying Asian Noodles.

from Vegan & Vegetarian Recipes: VegKitchen.com http://ift.tt/1HIskMG