Easy Basil Chicken Salad with Soba
by Nina Simonds
Soba noodles are a versatile staple with a deliciously nutty flavor that works well in hot soups, stir-fries, and cold appetizers. Usually, they are served cold with a smoky soy dashi broth and wasabi, but here they're tossed with a spicy, fresh basil pesto and used as a base for a shredded chicken and snow pea salad, topped with a piquant dressing for an easy, meal-in-one dish.
Serves 6
For the dressing:
1/2 cup light soy sauce, or to taste
6 Tbs. Japanese clear rice vinegar
2 Tbs. mirin (or rice wine or sake, mixed with 1 Tbs. sugar)
1-1/2 Tbs. sugar
For the salad:
3/4 lb. snow or snap peas, ends snapped and veiny strings removed
12 oz. soba noodles
1 lb. cooked boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into thin julienne strips
For the spicy pesto:
6 cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
4 scallions, white parts only, cut into 1-inch pieces (reserve the greens for the garnish, and cut into 1/4-inch sections)
1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
2 cups fresh basil leaves, rinsed, drained, and patted dry
2 Tbs. toasted sesame oil
1 Tbs. olive or canola oil
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbs. soy sauce
Make the dressing:
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
Make the spicy pesto:
Drop the garlic, scallion whites, and red pepper flakes down the feed tube of a food processor while the motor is running and chop finely. Open up the bowl and add the basil leaves. Pulse, turning the machine on and off, then slowly pour the sesame and olive oil down the feed tube and chop the mixture to a fine paste. Add the lemon juice and soy sauce and continue blending until the mixture is a fairly smooth paste.
Make the salad:
Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot. Add the snow peas and cook for 30 seconds. Remove with a large slotted spoon and drain in a strainer or colander under cold running water. Bring the water to a boil again and add the soba noodles. Once the water boils again, cook for 3-1/2 minutes, or until al dente. Drain in a colander and rinse the noodles under warm running water. Drain again.
In a large mixing bowl, toss the cooked soba noodles with the pesto mixture. Arrange in a large shallow bowl or platter. Sprinkle the snap peas evenly over the noodles, followed by the julienned chicken, and finishing with the scallion greens. Serve the dressing on the side in a sauce bowl, or drizzle over the salad. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Variations
Substitute cooked shrimp, pork, or flavored tofu for the chicken. You can also replace the snow or snap peas with 2-1/2 cups shredded carrots, bean sprouts, or other sliced vegetables.
photo: Romulo Yanes
From Book Reprinted from: Simple Asian Meals © 2012 by Nina Simonds. Permission granted by Rodale, Inc. Available wherever books are sold.
February 22, 2012
