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While on my world-backpacking safari in my 20's, I spent several months in Japan teaching English. I lived in a small town named Ugata in Mie-ken - famous for its seafood, Kashikojima Island and a thriving pearl industry.
One of my students, 9yo Kiri, turned up on my doorstep one evening and presented me with a tray of delicious food. She told me it was Summer Soba before scooting away. This is a classic Japanese summer dish - very refreshing as the noodles and all condiments are served cold.
Soba noodles are made from Buckwheat. These are fast to cook, but must be thoroughly rinsed before being served. I change the rinsing water several times until the water doesn't look so 'starchy'. I used a bottled ready-made dipping sauce. In future, I would like to make my own sauce as the only one I could find included MSG. A great introduction to Soba Noodles can be found at Just Hungry.
This is a fun dish for the kids to eat with chopsticks - if somewhat messy as the noodles are dipped into a bowl of sauce before being eaten. This dish is comfort food for hot days, and is typically vegetarian. Traditional condiments include: fresh Wasabi, chopped green/spring onions, Toasted shredded Nori (the seaweed mostly known for wrapping sushi). I seem to remember that my original experience with this meal also included Shiso (also known as 'beefsteak plant' or Perilla) - a plant commonly found in Japanese home gardens.
The meal I served my family included some sliced cooked chicken (left over from Goi Cuon meal) sliced red peppers, green onion and Nori strips. I was the only one willing to sprinkle on some Shichimi.
Summer vegetables are appearing. YES! Some oversize zucchinis became a dinner last week - in the form of a Zucchini Slice. The recipe given to me is very imprecise - and I am attempting to quantify it. Watching my sister cook it over the weekend has given me a few ideas to experiment with. Stay tuned for a recipe...
I served the Slice with steamed asparagus and tomatoes dressed with a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I like this slice with something sweet and spicy. A simple salad made with sliced tomato, torn basil, thinly sliced red onion, sprinkled with a little salt and freshly ground pepper (dressed with EVOO and balsamic vinegar) would have been perfect. Otherwise, a spicy ketchup, sweet chili sauce or Sriracha sauce might be good according to taste. It is a perfect picnic food and I have even made it as individual muffins.
