Tuesday, June 5, 2012

I am down in the dumps but noodles make me happy

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I been feeling down in the dumps. I don't know why. It could be that the weather in New England sucks. It could be that it has been a weird few weeks. It could be that I am a whiner. Yeah, that is it. So, I am not sharing this with you because I really feel that close to you (I have no idea who "you" is or who I am writing to since I think even my mother stopped reading this blog). I am writing to explain why this blog post isn't all that inspired. I don't know why I have to explain to you either since I don't know who "you" are.

Whew. Ok.


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I made this Soba Noodle dish. Buckwheat Noodles with Green Beans & Toasted Sesame-Lime Vinaigrette. It was right up my alley. I got it on Pinterest from Farm + House + Table

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It really is easy and calls for adding a protein which I didn't do since I was using it on the side to go along with salmon.

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Wild Sockeye Salmon is one of the things that I miss in CA. Along with oysters from Hog Island, Crab (not the stupid little blue kind) I want Dungeness crab. Damnit. Oranges and Lemons and limes that don't cost as much as meat. When the dog bites...when the bee stings....when I'm feeling sad. Shut up, I don't know why I wrote that.

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However, I paid the price and got a taste of home. I don't wanna hear local schmocal. I am homesick.

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I miss my little guy. Luckily we Skype almost every night and he brightens up my whole day. Grammy will be there soon P-man.


Buckwheat Noodles with Green Beans & Toasted Sesame-Lime Vinaigrette

Printable Version

1 package buckwheat soba noodles, cooked to al dente, drained and rinsed
1/2 pound green beans, trimmed, cut into 1″ lengths and blanched
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2″ pieces
1 c. cherry tomatopes, cut in half
1-2 spring onions, cut into paper thin slices
1 c. cooked chicken or tofu, cut into 1/2″ pieces small handful cilantro leaves
1/3 c. roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped

Dressing:

1/3 c. freshly squeezed lime juice
3 Tbs. fish sauce
2 Tbs. “rooster” chile sauce or siracha (to taste)
1 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. tamari sauce
3 Tbs. toasted sesame oil

Make dressing. Place lime juice, fish sauce, chile sauce, sugar and tamari in a small bowl. Whisk in sesame oil until well blended.

Place all salad ingredients together in a large bowl, reserving a small amount of peanuts and cilantro for garnish. Add dressing, toss well, garnish and serve.

14 comments :

  1. Micaela P. Torregrosa-MahoneyJune 5, 2012 at 10:27 AM

    you have a typo in tomatoes, otherwise this recipe looks tailor made for me because noodles make me happy too. And yummy salmon. But please don't diss the blue crab,  their flavor is delicious, you just have to eat them prepared Puertorican style, cooked with rice & coconut milk. Or in empanadas. Where was I? Oh, yes! *I* read your blog. So there. I'm sorry you're blue. Maybe a cookie will fix it? Cookies also make me happy. ;-) P-man is a bonbon. I want to hug him and love him and spend hours singing & dancing along to Laurie Berkner, Dan Zanes, and TMBG songs with him while making handprint art or playing with toy trains. Mwah!

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  2. Sorry you're down, honey. Nothing worse than that gauzy feeling. I've been pushing away the blues, too. Maybe today's transit of Venus will change everything? I'm making this dish soon. Maybe tonight. it looks so delicious. See you in August!

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  3. I always just assume you are writing to me because I am just that dam special. I figured this post proved it because I have been craving salmon and here you are writing about it. We neep to talk soon BTW, it's been a bit xoxoxo

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  4. I think it's just a general malaise that's gripped the nation because I'm in the same boat. Maybe women all over the world have synced up their cycles. Wouldn't THAT be bad.  I think any dish that includes the word 'noodle' has to be in the comfort food category, this included.

    It's so cool that you Skype with your little man. My parents used to do that, but they're pretty technology-challenged and after several bouts of French cussing in Skype front of the little lady, that's kinda stopped. It's a pretty. I think she liked hearing them say merde.

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  5. Awww, I am sorry - I hope you feel better soon. I go through similar dumps, and know how much they suck. But the noodles look gorgeous, as does your very cool little man!
    (Also sorry for the long silence, I've been busy with commencement/traveling)

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  6. I am dead sure it's because the New England weather sucks big time. I have been asking everyone that I meet -'does it suck ALL the time or am I special?'

    I am so sick and tired of the gloom that seems to be hanging over this place 24/7. Not even the pool opening today morning could perk me up. It was still raining, and all that yellow mucky pollen still sits in the grooves you can't reach, mocking at your helplessness. The pond fountain keeps getting stuck because the moss won't leave its pump alone.....nuff said.

    I do hope you perk up soon. And I hope the weather does. Fast.

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  7. Amen. Our pool opened two weeks ago and I haven't been in. You feel my pain sister. You also made me smile.

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  8. Hi Janis - I love soba noodles. Wish they weren't quite so expensive. 8 oz for $3. Maybe Trader Joe's has them cheaper than the food coop? But I never go there so ....

    Anyway, will try this because it's a bit different than what I usually do. Must buy some fish sauce so it can sit in my fridge for a couple years!

    Sounds like this weekend could be good.....

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  9. You're writing to ME! And that side dish sounds awesome, and I agree, when I feel homesick, I don't care WHERE my food comes from! 

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  10. ;--) We gotta do what we gotta do.

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  11. FatpiginthemarketJune 9, 2012 at 9:11 PM

    New England is putting the un in sun, huh? I get it. I spend part of the year in the Pacific Northwest trying to wave clouds out of the way like some crazed traffic cop. Maybe you're down but you're still funny...even my mother stopped reading this blog cracks me up!

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  12. Noodles are definitely the go-to comfort food. Hope you feel better soon!

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  13. Noodles really are the ultimate comfort food. Feel better!

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