I’ve had a jar of tahini sitting in my pantry for too long. I really should use it more often. My intention when I bought it was to use it in salad dressings and similar sauces, but I just haven’t reached for it until now. I actually never intended to use it in this dish, but it just happened, and I’m glad it did.
I got a couple of bunches of broccoli rabe greens in my CSA and I wanted to include it in dinner. I also had a head of cauliflower begging to be used. Both of these veggies tend to get used as side dishes. I wanted to include both in my main course. So I came up with this soba noodle dish. I love cooking with soba noodles. I buy a gluten free version and they cook up so fast and taste excellent.
- Soba Noodles
- 1 pound of extra-firm tofu, cubed and drained
- 1 tbsp. tamari or soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. coconut oil
- 2 tsp. sesame oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1.5 tbsp. ginger, chopped
- 1 head of cauliflower, washed and trimmed
- 1 bunch of broccoli rabe greens (could also use spinach or swiss chard), washed and chopped
- 2 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 3 tbsp. tahini
- 2 tbsp. white miso
- 1 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. ginger, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
- additional salt and pepper to taste
- Boil some salted water in a pot and cook the soba according to the directions on the package. Drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Preheat the oven to 400.
- Mix the tamari and the sesame oil. Mix in to the cubed tofu. Place the tofu on a baking sheet and bake in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
- Heat up the coconut oil in a large pan. Add in the sesame oil.
- Saute the onion, garlic, ginger and shallots for a few minutes to soften.
- Break up the cauliflower and add to the pan. Cook for about 8-10 minutes. Let the cauliflower brown a bit.
- One the cauliflower is softer, but still has some bite to it, turn the heat down lower add in the chopped greens.
- Add in the red pepper flakes, salt and ground pepper.
- In a separate bowl, whisk all of the sauce ingredients together.
- To serve, layer the soba noodles then the cauliflower mixture. Then pour the sauce over both. You can garnish with scallions, roasted sesame seeds and additional red pepper flakes if you like.
- Enjoy!