Black Sesame Mushrooms with Soba Noodles

Name: Black Sesame Mushrooms with Soba Noodles
Cuisine: Asian, Japanese
Ingredients: 10 ounces (300 g) soba noodles; 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil; 9 ounces (250 g) shiitake or cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved; 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 2 cups baby spinach leaves; 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds; sea salt and black pepper; 2 green onions, finely chopped; 2½ tablespoons black sesame paste (black tahini); 2½ tablespoons black vinegar; 2½ tablespoons soy sauce or tamari; 2 teaspoons maple syrup or brown sugar; 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil; ½–1 teaspoon chili oil (optional)

4 steps

This dish is dark in hue and flavors. The black sesame sauce is a powerful ingredient here, imparting a rich, toasty flavor that intensely permeates the noodles. Made of ground black sesame seeds, black sesame paste is the lesser-known sister of tahini—it has a similar nuttiness but a stronger flavor. Sometimes called black tahini, it can be used in both savory and sweet dishes. It tends to have a slightly bitter aftertaste, which counterbalances sweet dishes well; in savory dishes like this, the bitterness is undetectable, but rather imparts an earthy umami. Substitute • black sesame paste: tahini • black vinegar: apple cider vinegar • soba noodles: udon or ramen noodles • mushrooms: cabbage, tofu

Updated at: Thu, 17 Aug 2023 12:34:25 GMT

Nutrition balance score

Great

Glycemic Index

Low

Glycemic Load

High

Nutrition per serving

Calories389.7 kcal (19%)

Total Fat14.5 g (21%)

Carbs57.1 g (22%)

Sugars3.9 g (4%)

Protein14.6 g (29%)

Sodium1258.2 mg (63%)

Fiber4.2 g (15%)

% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet

Ingredients

5 servings

300gsoba noodles

2 tablespoonsextra-virgin olive oil

2 teaspoonstoasted sesame oil

250gshiitake mushrooms

or cremini, trimmed and halved

2garlic cloves

finely chopped

2 cupsbaby spinach leaves

2 tablespoonsblack sesame seeds

Black sesame sauce

2 ½ tablespoonsblack sesame paste

black tahini

2 ½ tablespoonsblack vinegar

2 ½ tablespoonssoy sauce

or tamari

2 teaspoonsmaple syrup

or brown sugar

2 teaspoonstoasted sesame oil

½ teaspoonchili oil

optional

Instructions

Step 1

Bring a saucepan of salted water to a boil and add the soba noodles. Cook according to the package directions, until al dente. Drain and rinse under cold water until completely cool (or place in a bowl of iced water). Drain and set aside.

Step 2

Meanwhile, heat a skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the olive oil and sesame oil, along with the mushrooms, and cook for 3 minutes or until they have some color. Reduce the heat to medium, add the garlic and cook, tossing often, for another 3 minutes until the mushrooms are tender and charred in parts. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

To make the black sesame sauce, whisk together the black sesame paste and black vinegar, then gradually add the soy sauce or tamari, mixing until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and whisk again until smooth.

Step 4

Combine the mushrooms, noodles, spinach and sesame seeds. Add the sauce and use chopsticks or tongs to toss until everything is well coated. Taste and season with sea salt and black pepper, if needed, then top with the green onion and serve.