As a graduate student, Sesame Salmon with Soba Noodles was a frequent reoccurrence in my weekly meal rotation. When I mentioned this fact to one of my friends, she laughed and pointed out that most students typically ate instant macaroni and cheese, or peanut butter with toast. I ate those foods too. But, I also loved creating something slightly different. While in school, cooking was my outlet and diversion from sitting and staring at books or my computer screen.
I made this recipe often because it came together quickly. I kept my freezer stocked with individually wrapped salmon filets. When I wanted fish for dinner, it was easy enough to grab a filet and let it thaw. The portioned filets cook in about 10 minutes, and soba noodles cook in about 3 minutes. For veggies, I would sautée whatever I had in the fridge, from spinach to bell peppers, either tossed with the noodles, or eaten alongside.
This recipe is not traditionally Japanese in any way. In fact, my half Japanese roommate frequently balked at my less than traditional methods for cooking soba. Traditional or not, this recipe for Sesame Salmon with Soba Noodles is quite delicious and easy to pull together.
Ingredients
Seasoning for Salmon
- 1 lb salmon
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp tahini
- salt
- pepper
- chili garlic sauce optional
Seasoning for Soba Noodles
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Sesame Salmon
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F
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Rub a bit of oil on a baking pan, or foil. Add the salmon.
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In a small bowl, whisk soy sauce, lemon, tahini, and sesame oil. The tahini will make the sauce creamy. Pour the sauce over the salmon. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
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Bake the salmon for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it is cooked. Salmon tastes best when it is cooked to medium, where the interior might be slightly translucent.
Soba Noodles
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Put a pot of water on the stove and bring to a boil
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Add soba noodles to the pot of boiling water. Stir to ensure that all the noodles are immerse. Boil for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the noodles are tender.
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When the noodles are done cooking, drain them. In a colander, or in a separate bowl, rinse the noodles with cold water. Add them back to the pot, or a bowl, and add the soy-sesame oil-garlic mixture. Add salt or pepper to taste.
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