Recipe: Shitake and bok choy soba

Shitake and bok choy soba. Photo / Babiche Martens

Serves 4

6 shitake mushrooms (see tip at bottom)
2 Tbs peanut oil
3 tsp garlic, finely chopped
3 small bok choy, sliced
300g soba noodles
1/4 cup fresh ginger, peeled and cut into fine slivers
1/4 cup vegetable oil

Noodle dressing
2 tsp white miso
2 Tbs mirin
1 Tbs soy sauce
1 Tbs rice wine
2 Tbs water
1 tsp caster sugar
Juice of one lemon

1 Slice the mushrooms. Heat a frypan and add the peanut oil and garlic then the slices of shitake. Cook until golden then remove.

2 Add the sliced bok choy and stir until wilted but slightly firm.

3 Cook the soba noodles according to the packet instructions, then drain.

4 Fry the ginger briefly in the hot oil until golden, then drain on paper towels.

5 To make the dressing; combine ingredients and whisk to dissolve sugar.

6 Serve the noodles with the shitake and bok choy. Spoon over the dressing and top with the fried crispy ginger.

Chef's tip

Look out for fresh shitake mushrooms but if they are hard to find, packets of dried ones are readily available in Asian food stores. Pour boiling water over and leave to soften before draining and using.