After discovering this recipe, it became an instant classic in my home. Whenever we want a light dinner, this 101 Cookbooks Otsu dish is my number one go-to. I change up the tofu from time to time with grass-fed beef or free-range chicken breast, and the vegetables can really go in any direction from spinach to peppers to arugula. The version here uses cabbage. The sauce involves a lot of ingredients, but once your cupboard is stalked with the basics, you’ll be good to go every time in the future. It’s a great dish because it makes 4-6 servings and it’s even better as a left-over. Below is my altered version of the recipe. I’m sure you’ll be addicted soon!

Ingredients:
-Zest of 1/2 lemon
-Fresh ginger, cut into a 1-inch cube, peeled, and grated
-1 tblspn agave nectar
-3/4 tspn cayenne pepper (if you don’t like spicy, then tone down here!)
-3/4 tspn sea salt
-1/2 tblspn juice from a lemon
-1/4 cup brownrice vinegar
-1/3 cup shoyu sauce (wheat-free soy sauce that tastes much better)
-2 tblspn extra-virgin olive oil
-2 tblspn toasted sesame oil

-12 ounces soba noodles
-12 ounces extra-firm tofu, or whatever protein you prefer (chicken, beef, etc)
-3 green onions, thinly sliced
-1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced
-1 cup sauteed cabbage
-1/4 cup toasted sesame seeds, for garnish

Directions:
-Start by making the dressing by mixing the lemon zest, ginger, agave, cayenne pepper, and salt in a blender or food processor.
-Blend until smooth.
-Add the lemon juice, rice vinegar, and shoyu, and pulse to combine.
-Add in the oils with the blender still running.

-Cook the soba noodles in boiling salted water just until tender.
-Drain and rinse under cold running water.

-While the pasta is cooking, drain the tofu, pat it dry, and cut it into rectangles
-Cook the tofu in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for a few minutes, tossing once or twice.

-In a large bowl, combine the soba noodles, the green onions, cucumber, cabbage and about 2/3 cup of the dressing
-Toss until well combined.
-Add the tofu and toss again gently.
-Garnish with toasted sesame seeds.
-Enjoy!