It's that time of the month again--time for the Daring Cook's Challenge! I almost didn't make this one but I already bought my soba noodles--green tea soba noodles to be exact and I really wanted to use them so I finally decided to go ahead with it. First the blog checking lines:
The February 2011 Daring Cooks' Challenge was hosted by Lisa of Blueberry Girl. She challenged Daring Cooks to make Hiyashi Soba and Tempura. She has various sources for her challenge including japanesefood.about.com, pinkbites.com, and itsybitsyfoodies.com.
So what exactly is Soba? It's a type of Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour, but for a better explanation, read here. I was just wondering if I should go to the Japanese/Korean grocery store when I chanced upon this pack of green tea soba noodles! And they were being offered at a very low price so I grabbed it. Isn't the packaging cute? I love how the Japanese make everything look pretty!
And here are the cooked soba noodles. They were immersed in ice cold water as soon as I finished boiling them to stop further cooking. They turned out perfect!
Tempura is seafood or vegetables that have been dipped in batter and deep-fried. Here is a better explanation complete with pictures. Initially, I thought about making more vegetable tempura but knowing that somehow it will all be wasted because I try to stay away from fried food nowadays, I chose to keep it simple and decided on eggplants as accompaniment to my prawns.
And here is the completed challenge, Cold Soba Salad and Tempura, really delicious! I ate them all too!
Thank you Lisa for this challenge, it was fun, and more fun to plate and take pictures of, this challenge is so photogenic!
The complete recipes for both the Hiyashi Soba and the tempura are here. Please visit the other Daring Cooks and be amazed at everyone's creativity!
29 comments:
I feel like I'm in a Japanese restaurant, Chef D - authentic presentation! I've just nominated you for the Stylish Blogger Award on my blog. Do stop by and hope you'll accept!
WOW that is the most beautiful presentation of tempura I have ever seen, the prawn tails are so so cute. And yes soba noodles are delicious and I agree this is a very photogenic. Great pictures.
Cheers from Audax in Sydney Australia.
As usual, you amaze me! Your plating is beautiful, and I love that the soba noodles were what made sure you participated this month. Great job!!!!
What a presentation!! Looks pro!!
I'm sure it was heavenly! I loved this recipe so much!
Thanks for your lovely comment on mine!
Soba and tempura! What a great combo.
Beautiful photos! Love the look of your shrimp, and wow, how cool are those green soba noodles :)
Mmmm! The green tea soba sounds so good! And your photos make it all look mouthwatering. Great job as always!
Your photos are stunning! Aren't you glad you did the challenge? This makes me want more soba and tempura, but from a restaurant this time!
;)
ohh That looks wonderful. I love soba.
Great job - as always! I love your photos - you really captured the elements of this challenge so well, and presented them beautifully! Green tea soba noodles sound wonderful... I may just have to go seek them out!! Great work on the challenge!
Fun and colourful! Your prawns turned out really nice!
your pictures are so inviting, and the food looks so yummy! Congrats from Salted Lemons :-)
Hey girl!! Just gave you the Stylish Blog Award! http://lardonmyfrench.blogspot.com/2011/02/pretty-sweet-valentines-day.html
What a beautiful plate. I would love to try the green tea soba - the colour is so appealing. Well done. Beautiful photos.
Holy prawns batman, what size are those shrimp?
Nice work on the challenge.
Great job! :D Your presentation and photos are also amazing. Can't wait to taste your cooking :)
great job! lovely plating!
Very well done! That salad and the tempura look delicious.
Cheers,
Rosa
Your pictures are so beautiful. And inspiring, thank you :)
Green tea soba, what a find! I adore your presentation, everything is so stylish and pretty! Great job!
Your presentation is lovely. The shrimp appear to have been a perfect selection for tempura treatment and I covet your Green Tea Soba noodles. Great work!
Can i say WOOT!!WOT!!! One of the beautiful shots for this challenge! Dang, those tempura is talking to me=;) How was the green tea soba? I don't think i've seen that here yet.
You did a fabulous job on this challenge. Those prawns are gorgeous!
Look at those prawns, gorgeous.
Well done! Everything looks fab! I've heard loads about green tea soba but can't seem to find it anywhere.
ooh wee, i had tempura for lunch today! so yum, but i need to just some for myself! nice finding your blog!
Bren
Flanboyant Eats
http://www.flanboyanteats.com
WOW, your prawn tempura is just amazing. It's stunning. I'd be thrilled if I was served that in a restaurant! I like the sound of the green tea soba too. I agree - very cute packaging. You took such beautiful photos. :)
Wow..your tempura is beautiful and so crispy, and love the green tea soba noodles! I kind of wish I had taken that diretion, either that or yam. Beautifully executed and so authentically presented (love the prawn tails)!
the presentation is stunning. love soba noodles and yours look delicious.
thanks for sharing, hope you'll have a wonderful Monday
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