Crisp Soba Noodles Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Meanwhile, mix the vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Add the daikon and press into the mixture to submerge as much as possible. Let stand until ready to serve, mixing occasionally.
• Add 1/4 cup salt to the boiling water. Add the snap peas and cook just until bright green and tender, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Using a spider or slotted spoon, transfer to a colander and immediately rinse under cold water until cool. Drain well.
• Add the noodles to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just tender, 4 to 8 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water until cool and drain again.
• While the noodles cook, whisk the soy sauce, sesame oil, red-pepper flakes and remaining 2 tablespoons honey in a large bowl. Add the chicken, soba and snap peas and toss until evenly coated. Season to taste with salt.
• Divide among bowls. Drain the daikon pickles and arrange on top, then garnish with the scallions, sesame seeds and additional red-pepper flakes.

Steps:

• First, prepare the toppings: Add 4 tablespoons oil to a large skillet and heat gently over medium. Place the red-pepper (chilli) flakes and paprika into a small heatproof bowl. Once the oil is quite hot but not smoking, pour it over the spices. Set aside to infuse as you make the ginger crumbs.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the same skillet and heat over medium-high. Once hot, turn the heat back down to medium and add the ginger and shallot. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until nicely browned and starting to crisp. Add the panko, sesame seeds and 1/4 teaspoon salt, and cook for 4 to 6 minutes more, stirring often, until nicely toasted. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
• Meanwhile, make the broth: Add all the broth ingredients plus 3/4 cup/200 milliliters water and 1 teaspoon salt to a medium lidded saucepan, and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Cover once simmering, turn the heat down to low and cook for 25 minutes. Drain through a sieve set over a bowl, discarding the solids, and return the broth to the saucepan along with another 1 1/4 cups/300 milliliters hot water. Keep warm over low heat until ready to serve.
• Prepare the noodles: Boil them in a pot or saucepan according to package instructions, or for 5 minutes in plenty of boiling water. Drain well and run under cold water to stop the cooking. Return the drained noodles to the pot or saucepan and toss with the lime juice, soy sauce and cilantro (coriander).
• Divide the warm broth across four bowls, then use a fork to twist and gather the noodles and nest them artfully in the bowls. Top with a spoonful of the ginger crumbs and the chile oil, serving the remaining alongside.