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Fresh and Lively
Asian Home Cooking
Issue XI: August 18, 2009
Dear   
Registration for our Fall Classes is open! 
See online at Cooking Class Calendar 
Sign up today--early bird savings coupon below!
 
Our kitchen is done. We can cook again! Yippee. We bid farewell to our wonderful contractor, Vince Deandre and I am in the midst of rewashing and stocking my kichen. It is funny how beat up our pots and pans and those chipped dinner dishes, mismatched bowls look now. I think we should have a registry so that one can get all new stuff so it all matches, new and new. Ah but I am very happy just to be able to have running water and a working stove and besides, new dishes were never in the budget. 
 
For those of you who have been asking, yes I will be providing small private cooking events in our kitchen. Specifically my desire is to provide a class for the motivated student who wants to learn to cook and feed their healthy side. Not that our other classes are not healthy but there is an absence of Asian cooking classes that can provide good everyday cooking knowledge for those who are needing techniques that will work for heart healthy
and diabetic diets. Doable, delicious and dietetic. How to menu plan, how to select when eating out etc. Give me a call if I can be of service.
 
Meet me at the Farmers Market. Next week is Canvolution a wonderful week of sharing by veteran canners and preservers to those wanting to "put up the harvest". Scroll down for more information. 
 
Naomi Kitchen
The Kitchen--It may never look this clean again! Remember the sheet rock photo from our last issue? Well this is the same stove, same wall with a new dressing. It is exciting to be able to cook again. It is like a revelation to have such a nice place to work and play and develop cirriculum for you.....we shall frolic with food. I hope you will join me.
 
Sharing the harvest,
 
Naomi Kakiuchi, RD, CD, CCP
 

Fresh and Easy

Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame, Cucumber and Sweet Peppers

This cold salad is perfect for our make ahead needs and can go to a picnic or be a nice side salad for a hot August night. Noodles are favorites of little and big kids alike. Use whatever vegetables are in season for the perfect color and texture notes. Soba or buckwheat noodles are light brown and have a nice nutty flavor and good bite. You can substiute fresh pasta from the market or your favorite thin cooked noodle.
 
Soba Noodle Salad with Sesame, Cucumber & Sweet Peppers 
Serves 6-8 as side
 
Dressing
¾ cup rice vinegar
¼ cup sugar
¾ teaspoon salt
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
1 red jalapeño or Serrano chile, seeded, chopped 
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 ½ teaspoons grated lime peel
 
Salad
12 ounces soba (buckwheat) noodles
1 cup English cucumber, halved lengthwise, thinly sliced crosswise
1 cup assorted sweet bell peppers, thinly sliced lengthwise
1 cup chopped fresh basil
1 cup chopped fresh mint
1 cup chopped toasted salted peanuts
Lime Wedges 
  1.  Warm vinegar, sugar and salt in small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves, about 1 minute.  Stir in garlic and jalapeno.  Cool.  Mix in lime juice, sesame oil, and lime peel.
  2. Cook noodles in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring occasionally. Drain well.  Rinse under cold water; drain again. Transfer noodles to a large mixing bowl.
  3. Add dressing and toss to coat.  (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead.  Cover and refrigerate).
  4. Within two hours of service, add cucumber, sweet peppers, basil and mint to noodles and toss gently. Heap onto a pretty platter, sprinkle with chopped peanuts and garnish with lime wedges.  Let salad come to room temperature before serving.

Events for Canners and Preservers and

Free Chef Demonstrations

Upcoming events: 

Week of August 23--Join the Canvolution! Canning and preserving the harvest. 
 
Free Demos at the Farmers Markets--Chefs from Rays Boathouse, Boat Street Cafe and more...
 
See our calendar for free events 
In This Issue
Summer Soba Noodle Salad
Join the Canvolution!
Save $35
Buddy up and save $$$. Signup with a friend for one of our DEMO CLASSES at our NVC Seattle Kitchen and save $35 off your class tuition, a Buy 2 Get the second 1/2 off offer. This Early Fall Class special will expire on September 1st so don't delay. A perfect way to say thank you or celebrate a special friendship. Use coupon code fallbird35 .
(Preview classes, Dine Learn and Cook Series and Uwajimaya Bellevue classes are exempt from this offer.)
 

Offer Expires: September 1, 2009