Kale Soba Salad

Cook time: 10 minutes
Serves 4

Soba noodles are made of buckwheat flour (and also usually a smaller amount of wheat flour), a nutritious grain that is unrelated to wheat. They have a stronger, nuttier flavor and are less chewy than other Japanese noodles like ramen or yakisoba. They’re often served in soups, chilled with a dipping sauce, or in salads like this one.

4 ounces soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat noodles)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4 cups chopped kale
1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce or your favorite soy sauce (tamari, mentsuyu, etc.)
3 tablespoons sunflower seeds

  1. Cook the soba noodles according to the package directions. Drain in a colander and immediately rinse with cold running water. Transfer them to a salad bowl.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, heat the sesame oil. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until it is fragrant and golden, about 1 minute.
  3. Raise the heat to high and add the kale. Cook for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the kale is tender. Add the soy sauce and toss to mix.
  4. Add the kale to the soba noodles and stir gently. Sprinkle with the sunflower seeds and serve.

Remember to eat until 80% full. Leftovers of this recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days.

Recipe from The Blue Zones American Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100, page 158-59. Available at the Albert Lea Public Library, 211 E. Clark St.