A Buckwheat pasta deliciously wheat free.
Last night I needed some sort of pasta to fulfill my appetite but I wanted to play with Asian flavors and this is what I came up with!
Buckwheat is actually a plant from the rhubarb family, spinach, beets and sorrel belong to the same family.
Japanese cuisine uses lots of the heritage noodles from the Edo old tradition and these dark and hearty noodles belong to that era. In macrobiotics, buckwheat is used for performing hard physical work, It particularly nourishes kidneys, bladder and reproductive system.
Quantity for 1 person
1 tablespoon of sesame oil or coconut oil
½ onion
1 garlic clove
250 gr / 1 slice of the sweetest pumpkin in season cubed
1 tablespoon of miso paste
1 tablespoon of grated ginger
The point of a little chili sliced very small or some dry chili
Salt to your taste
About 1 cup of water
Soba noodle 40gr or other whole wheat noodle of your choice
100 gr tempeh
Extra oil for frying
Toppings that I like
Sautee’ mushrooms or spinach
Marinated Bok choy
Gomasio
Spring onions
Nori seaweeds
Squeeze of lemon juice
Method
Start with chopping the onions and gently sauté with the oil until translucent, add some chili, pumpkin and the grated ginger. Let them cook for a couple of minutes then add the water and cover , check that it is not burning while you organize the rest of the ingredients!
Boil plenty of water to cook the noodles, slice the tempeh in long thin rectangles, heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the tempeh until golden and crispy, turning regularly to cook all sides and avoid burning. ( I like to use sesame oil)
Remove with a slotted spoon and dry the extra oil on paper. Use tamari to sprinkle on the tempeh for saltiness!
You can use left over sautéed greens of your choice or shitake mushrooms on the side.
When the water is boiling, cook the noodles al dente. By now the pumpkin should be soft and ready to blend into a creamy sauce. Add the miso paste before you blend it , I use a hand blender directly in the sauce pan. Season your noodles with extra sesame oil before they stick to each other! Arrange the pumpkin at the bottom of your plate, add the noodles on top , the tempeh croutons and the greens , gomasio is a must! Maybe a few drops of tamari or soy sauce .
Very nurturing dinner is like a cuddle !
Buckwheat property
Low glycemic index
It Contains the Bioflavonoid Rutin which increases circulation, strengthens blood vessels, lower blood pressure, it is low in fat, it is a fair source of plant protein.
Buckwheat kernel can be sprouted, steamed like rice, mixed with other flour for baking and for pancakes sweet or savory.
