Name: Soba noodles with ginger ponzu and prawns
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients: 400g soba noodles; 16 large,cooked prawns,peeled,deveined,tails left intact; 2 tsp sesame oil; 1 avocado,halved and sliced; 2 Lebanese cucumbers,thinly sliced into rounds; 2 spring onions,finely sliced toasted white sesame seeds,

When it’s simply too hot to cook,make this soba noodle salad.William Meppem

easyTime:<30 minsServes:4

Soba noodles are a pantry staple in my house. Reliable,versatile and well-loved,they’re a great back-up for last-minute lunches or easy weeknight meals. While I love them with a warm or chilled broth,a simple dressing also provides a wonderful way to enjoy them.

This dish comes together in a very short time and you’re rewarded with an incredible amount of flavour. The ginger ponzu is the hero here:zingy,bright and the most perfectly balanced,sweet,salty and sour coating for the noodles. This recipe is a gift on those days when it’s simply too hot to cook.

Ingredients

400g soba noodles
16 large,cooked prawns,peeled,deveined,tails left intact
2 tsp sesame oil
1 avocado,halved and sliced
2 Lebanese cucumbers,thinly sliced into rounds
2 spring onions,finely sliced toasted white sesame seeds,

FOR THE GINGER PONZU

100ml soy sauce
100ml mirin
60ml lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
2cm piece ginger,finely grated
sea salt,to taste

Method

Step1
For the ginger ponzu,simply whisk together the soy sauce,mirin,lemon juice and ginger. Season with a little salt. Set aside.
Step2
Cook the soba noodles in a large pot of boiling water according to the directions on the packet. Drain and rinse under cold water,then drain again. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Step3
Toss the prawns with the sesame oil in a small bowl. Season with a little salt. Set aside.
Step4
Divide the noodles among four bowls,topping each bowl with some prawns,avocado and cucumber slices. Pour over some of the ginger ponzu,then finish with a scattering of spring onions and sesame seeds. Alternatively,combine everything in a large bowl,toss to mix and serve.