Buckwheat Soba With Miso, Squash, Smoked Tofu, & Basil

Total Time: 55 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon miso or 1 tablespoon yellow miso
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or 2 teaspoons peanut oil
• 2 cups sliced onions
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 -3 cups peeled chopped butternut squash (about 1/2 pound) or 2 -3 cups fresh pumpkin (about 1/2 pound)
• 1 cup smoked tofu, cut into strips (about 1/4 pound)
• 1/2 cup packed fresh basil leaf
• 1/2 lb uncooked buckwheat soba noodles
• red pepper flakes
• lightly toasted pumpkin seeds

Recipe

• 1 combine the miso and hot water in a small bowl, and mash with a spoon until the miso is mostly dissolved. (it doesn't have to be perfectly smooth.) set aside.
• 2 heat the oil in a large deep skillet or a sauté pan over medium-high heat. when it is very hot, add the onion, and sauté for about 5 minutes. sprinkle in the salt, cover, and cook for about 10 more minutes over medium heat. stir in the squash, cover and cook for 10 minutes longer, or until the squash is tender. meanwhile, put up a potful of water to boil for the soba.
• 3 stir the miso solution, tofu, and basil, into the sautéed onion and squash. turn the heat way down, cover, and let it simmer very quietly while you cook the soba (5 to 8 when the noodles are done to your liking, drain them thoroughly, transfer to a serving bowl, and pour the vegetable-miso mixture over the top. toss with chopsticks or a large fork, adding red pepper flakes to taste as you go. sprinkle the top with pumpkin seeds, and serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.