konnichiha!

Be warned. Although this was a very good and hearty meal, those who are not willing to try new things might not like the taste of buckwheat soba noodles.

Japanese Soba Noodles w/ Steamed Vegetables and Tofu

2 tbsps mirin (it is a Japanese rice wine used for cooking. I bought mine at whole foods but you might be able to find it in other stores or look for an Asian market)

1 tbsp minced fresh ginger

1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce

2 tsps sesame oil

1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar (use lite less sugar and salt)

1/2 lbs globe eggplant, cut into 1/2 inch cubes or Chinese or Japanese eggplant cut into 1/4 inch slices

about 4 3/4 tsps fine sea salt

8 ozs firm or extra firm tofu cut into 1/4 inch cubes (I actually used the whole container of tofu for more protein

1 cut cut into matchsticks ( I used a peeler)

8 ozs buckwheat soba noodles (I had no problem finding this in the Asian section of whole foods)

3 scallions, thinly sliced

1 tbsp gomasio (this is a seasoning w/ seaweed and sea salt and sesame seeds. it is very good and it does complete the meal so don't skip it. also found in the Asian section.

in a large bowl, whisk together the mirin, ginger, tamari or soy sauce, and 1 tsp of the sesame oil. set aside.

in a pot fitted with a steamer insert, bring 1 inch of water and 2 tbsps of the rice vinegar to a boil. arrange the eggplant in the insert, sprinkle w/ 1/4 tsp salt, cover, and steam for 7 minutes. add the carrot and steam for 5-8 minutes. add the tofu and steam for 3 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the tofu is heated through.

meanwhile in a 4-6 quart stockpot, combine 3 quarts of water with about 1 1/2 tbsps salt. bring to a boil over high heat, add the noodles and cook according to package directions. drain, rinse, in cold water, drain again and return the noodles to the pot. toss with the remaining 1 tsp of sesame oil and cover. when the vegetable mixture is cooked, add it to the bowl with the mirin mixture tossing gently.

to serve place the noodles on plates or a platter and top w/ the vegetable mixture, scallions and gomasio.

or to save time and space I just mixed everything in the pot where I cooked the noodles and mixed everything except the gomasio. You should add that to your liking.