Asian Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame Dressing

Ingredients

• 8 ounces soba noodles
• 1 cup red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cup cucumber, julienned
• 1 cup carrot, shredded
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons scallions, sliced

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, toasted

Method

1. 01
   Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soba noodles and cook according to the package instructions, usually about 6-8 minutes.
2. 02
   Drain the noodles and rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch. Set aside to cool.
3. 03
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced red bell pepper, julienned cucumber, shredded carrot, chopped cilantro, and sliced scallions.
4. 04
   In a small bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, honey, grated ginger, minced garlic, and toasted sesame seeds to make the dressing.
5. 05
   Add the cooled soba noodles to the bowl with the vegetables. Pour the sesame dressing over the top.
6. 06
   Toss everything together gently until the noodles and vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
7. 07
   Serve the salad immediately or refrigerate for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld. Garnish with additional sesame seeds before serving if desired.