Soba Noodles with Tofu, Shitake, Pineapple, Cilantro

One of the single most frustrating aspects about having a passion for cooking is the frequent assumption that cooking is something I do to fulfill my own needs. 

I often hear things like "It's not a big deal, since you love to cook anyway" or "I know you just made a huge dinner for me and friends, but you love it",  or  "I know this was a major effort, but you'd be cooking anyway".   

It's as if cooking is a narcissistic act that solely revolves around fulfilling my passions.   While there is some truth to that, cooks everywhere experience a phenominom once they learn their guests tastes, likes and dislikes.    Cooking for someone becomes thoughtful. 

A friend who adores soup and pho? Hmm, maybe I'll make a rendition of oxtail soup that would have completely different qualities in comparison to pho.   Someone  who loves the clean yet complex flavors of Thai?  Maybe these flavors would be a helpful remedy for her crazy weekend on the road?

What I'm getting at is that cooking is much more than the physical effort of chopping, sauteing and searing.   Beyond the effort,  it can become an extremely thoughtful expression.   Thinking about what flavors or tastes can make someone smile...remembering what ingredients they love and loathe with precise detail...recalling a dish they loved while eating at a restaurant  together.  All of these things are much more than an act of labor.

My point is simply that cooking for someone on a frequent basis becomes much more than a  physical effort.   Believe it or not, sometimes that gets overlooked by eaters everywhere.

Anyhow, I bring this up because that's exactly what inspired me to make this Soba noodle dish (which is the actual point of this post!).   I went to the market thinking about what flavors would comfort someone coming back from a rowdy and sleepless weekend.    She loves the play of sweet, tart and spicy, loves starches like rice and noodles, enjoys the earthy flavors of tofu and mushrooms, and maybe cilantro is one of her favorite herbs.    Done.

I simply sauteed shitakes in olive oil with finely chopped white onion, garlic, ginger and some cayenne.  After the mushrooms cooked down and released their water, I added cubed firm tofu and sesame seed oil and sauteed for a few minutes.   A bit of soy deglazed the pan.   Finally, cubed pineapple, roasted cashews, chopped cilantro and the juice of a whole lime finished the dish.   I added the cooked soba noodles, folded them into the ingredients in the pan, then adjusted the seasoning as necessary.    I added a bit more lime juice and another few drops of soy and sesame oil for balance. 

A delicious and simple dish, which made excellent lunch leftovers the next day.

Comments

[Sophie]

We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email sophiekiblogger@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)

[Santos]

Hi. History is indeed little more than the register of the crimes, follies and misfortunes of mankind. Help me! Looking for sites on: Anti asthma. I found only this - class is phenergan. Actual percentage of true food allergic individuals is much lower than people council members are funding efforts to develop an anti allergic peanut vaccine. I know that a lot of people suffer from allergies today. With respect :confused:, Santos from Islands.

[jiaying]

http://www.air-max-shoes.com air max
http://www.4uaf.com nike air force 1

[air max]

http://www.saleairmax.com/Air_Max_Tn_10.html Air Max Tn 10

[Vitamin C]

Thank you for sharing such a nice recipe. I would love this Noodles. I am giving a party to my friends this weekend at my farmhouse. I was wondering about some new item to treat my friends with. I will surely try this and let you know.

[passing drug test]

This is nice information need to know more,Thanks for such a nice post

[Wholesale UGG Boots]

please come to my site. I think it can help you something. Thank you!!! I pray for you forever.

[lin]

http://www.nikestarsonsale.com nike star

http://www.uggboots-space.com winter ugg boots

http://www.saleairmax.com Air Max shoes

[Buy Viagra]

Amazing post about Soba Noodles with Tofu, Shitake, Pineapple, Cilantro thanks for sharing

[viagra online]

thanks for sharing this post about Soba Noodles with Tofu, Shitake, Pineapple, Cilantro

[cheap soccer shoes]

http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer shoes
http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer jerseys

[cheap adidas shoes]

http://www.helloadidas.com adidas samba
http://www.helloadidas.com adidas superstar

[cheap adidas shoes]

http://www.helloadidas.com adidas samba
http://www.helloadidas.com adidas superstar

[cheap soccer shoes]

http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer shoes
http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer jerseys

[cheap shoes]

People's life is cannot leave the shoe, it already became lives the essential material needs, it is the social civilization development product. Along with did society's development, how find a good shoe, stood wear and the attractive shoe has become a big topic which the people choose now! This company is located at China, manages each kind of shoe, we have the special performance test personnel, in the quality we guaranteed that is first-class! Because we sell the shoe are many, therefore our shoe can probably be cheaper than other company's shoe. Welcome us the company website:
http://www.bellbestnike.com
http://www.bellbestpuma.com
http://www.okeywecan.com
http://www.bellbest.com

[cheap soccer shoes]

http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer shoes
http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer jerseys

[cheap adidas shoes]

http://www.helloadidas.com adidas samba
http://www.helloadidas.com adidas superstar

[cheap adidas shoes]

http://www.helloadidas.com adidas samba
http://www.helloadidas.com adidas superstar

[cheap soccer shoes]

http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer shoes
http://www.kicksclassic.com cheap soccer jerseys

[cheap adidas shoes]

http://www.helloadidas.com adidas samba
http://www.helloadidas.com adidas superstar

[2010 wolrd cup jerseys]

Looking for the latest styles of the world's best soccer gear? Then you've come to the right place. Kicksclassic is the top destination to buy soccer shoes, soccer jerseys, 2010 wolrd cup jerseys,soccer balls and soccer equipment at great prices. We offer the newest products from soccer's most trusted brands including Nike, Adidas, Puma , as well as cutting edge new soccer brands like Mizuno soccer.

Our soccer shoe offerings will always leave you finding the exact soccer cleats you are looking for. From firm ground outdoor soccer cleats and indoor soccer shoes, to women's cleats and youth soccer shoes, Soccer Fanatic has you covered. We are always first to get new colors of your favorite soccer cleats like the Adidas F50i TUNIT.

Already have your soccer cleats? No worries, we also carry a massive collection of soccer jerseys and licensed soccer apparel including the new seasons international jerseys, club jerseys, soccer training gear and team fan apparel from all the best clubs in the English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and Italian Serie A. We also offer a large selection youth soccer gear and women’s soccer equipment that will make sure everyone finds the soccer apparel they need. If you are a team there is no where better to get your soccer uniforms and bags. We can create the soccer uniform your club needs and also outfit the club with soccer goals and supplies.

Our soccer store is rooted in the biggest soccer playing area in the United States, sunny Southern California. Our deep connection to the surrounding soccer community allows us to stay at the forefront of soccer and provide continually improving service to soccer players everywhere via our online soccer shop.

At Kicksclassic, our passionate team is behind you all the way! Our soccer gear selection is unbeatable and our great service is undeniable. Search Soccer Fanatic to find soccer shoes, soccer jerseys, 2010 world cup jerseys,soccer balls, soccer apparel and soccer equipment that will keep you playing and looking your best out on the field. Make us your first stop for all of your soccer gear needs.
http://www.inthestyleshop.com

[Jordan Shoes]

Nice blog.From your blog,I know something others that I didn't know before. Thanks for your providing and sharing.

[meng]

How to make your hair beautiful? The GHD Hair Straightenners is the best choice,www.sweetv.com is the professional website,they provide the miraculous tools.please visite it and look for it~CHI Flat Iron Camo Pink
CHI Flat Iron Farouk
CHI Flat Iron Original Farouk

[chi hair straightener]

I loved the editorial BE.It is very interesting.Thank you for the information.

[cheap mbt shoes]

.I have to thank you such an article.
Great article, Very funny!!

[Name]

This blog makes me realize the energy of words and pictures. As always your things are just gorgeous and I am grateful that you let us look in! Keep coming up with ideas.
by Jordan Shoes

[Name]

This blog makes me realize the energy of words and pictures. As always your things are just gorgeous and I am grateful that you let us look in! Keep coming up with ideas.
by Jordan Shoes

[Name]

This blog makes me realize the energy of words and pictures. As always your things are just gorgeous and I am grateful that you let us look in! Keep coming up with ideas.
by Jordan Shoes

[adidasshoes]

Adidas knows the shoes became famous in the shoe bazaar as a casual shoe because of the gazelle ongoing in the Adidas Porsche Design sneakers.However, within four decades,Cheap adidas shoes have reserved manufacturers in continual production of Adidas Rod Laver for more than four decades. Our Gucci outlet online store are offering Gucci new released collections and discount Gucci bags, Gucci handbags, Gucci wallets, Gucci purses, Gucci totes, shoes etc.
http://www.adidas-cheap.com/
http://www.outlet-gucci.com/
http://www.outlet-gucci.com/gucci-handbags-c-1.html
http://www.adidas-cheap.com/adidas-superstar-c-6.html

[coach handbags]

I spent a dime send this message to you is to tell you - I am not a stingy person. Such as the dime that I send http://www.coach-handbags-outlet.com
SMS your birthday.

[gucci outlet]

thank you so much for an alternative to pork! lol! I really enjoyed this recipe and my wife is asking me to cook it again tomorrow! lol! I order alot of veggies from Celebrity Foods so this gives me a great complement to my awesome veggies i cook! Thank you so much for the recipe! welcom to my page http://www.okayoutlet.com

[Puma Shoes]

Thank you and My best regards! Thank you and Sorry for so many questions but i really need your help.

[coach sale]

We don't really have to go looking for them. We have a wonderful world that is full of beauty, light and promise. Why waste time in this world looking for the bad, disappointing or annoying when we can look around us, and see the wondrous things before us?

[Air Force One]

The piece of writing can be quite awesome. You analyse within the round.I will go on to interest your other great posts. I like this form of post extremely a whole lot.

[coach bags outlet]

Thanks for your sharing!http://www.gucci-outlet.us/ gucci handbags outlet great helpful!!!Thank you
why do not you have a look at our website
thank you !! I am pleased to share my joy with you?
love bags.
http://www.gucci-outlet.us/ gucci handbags outlet
http://www.gucci-outlet.us/ gucci outlet
http://www.gucci-outlet.us/ gucci handbags
http://www.coach-bags-outlet.com/ coach bags outlet
http://www.coach-bags-outlet.com/ coach bags
http://www.coach-bags-outlet.com/ coach outlet
zocy005 on 2010-7-9

[传奇私服]

'Grim Sleeper' Arrest Fans Debate on DNA Use http://www.iqwsf.com
Loophole May Have Aided Theft of Classified Data http://www.9kcq.com
Europe Revives Bank Program http://www.174cq.com
Court Rejects Moratorium on Drilling in the Gulf http://www.8kcq.com
Greece Approves Pension Overhaul Despite Protests http://www.iqwcq.com
Goal for High School Smoking Is Unmet http://www.kicksf.com
Opening a Big Store in China, Apple Remains a Market Underdog http://www.sf9456.com

[thomas sabo schmuck]

I felt so sorry for the actual trained chefs there to put up with her antics

[Puma Clyde shoes]

I was pretty surprised when I read this article, Such a nice posting.You done a great job.I really appreciate to you.Thanks for sharing this.

[all jordans]

 Your website is so much nice i would like to see all the posts but i have dont enough time to do it. Over all i loved your all the articles

[Chanel Bags]

Thanks a good deal! I truly enjoyed reading this.Looking through these posts and the information you've provided I can appreciate that I still have a lot of things to learn. I will keep reading and keep re-visiting.

[UGG Boots outlet]

I felt so sorry for the actual trained chefs there to put up with her antics

[Coach outlet]

good blog, come on

[Supra Shoes]

We don't really have to go looking for them. We have a wonderful world that is full of beauty,

[jordan shoes]

arrival air jordan 2010,air max 2009,air jordan 2010 shose, nike dunk, nike shox sneaker, adidas sneakers,50% off, free shipping at http://nikefacebook.com

[Singing Machine Karaoke]

That really looks delicious!

[ugg adirondack ii]

I am so excited about this cooking. Thanks for the wonderful post .

[uggs sale]

I agree with you that cooking can become an extremely thoughtful expression.Cooking makes me happy and smile.

[NB-1LH Batteryc]

And thank you for always showing great work from so many talented designers.