Sesame Miso Noodle Bowl

Instructions

1. Prepare the Eggplant

   5 min hands-on5 min waiting

   • Preheat the oven to 180°C (356°F).
   • Cut the eggplant into cubes and spread on a parchment-lined baking tray.

2. Season the Eggplant

   3 min hands-on

   • Whisk miso paste, olive oil, soy sauce, and water to form a paste.
   • Drizzle over the eggplant and toss to coat.
   • Sprinkle sesame seeds on top.

3. Roast the Eggplant

   25 min waiting

   • Place the tray on the middle rack and roast for 15 minutes.
   • Stir the eggplant and roast for another 10 minutes until tender and caramelized.

4. Prepare the Tofu

   2 min hands-on25 min waiting

   • Crumble tofu into chunks on a separate parchment-lined tray.
   • Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and optional five-spice.
   • Roast on the top rack for 25 minutes, stirring halfway, until golden and crispy.

5. Cook the Soba Noodles

   2 min hands-on8 min waiting

   • Boil water and cook soba noodles according to package instructions.
   • Drain and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.

6. Prepare the Sauce

   2 min hands-on

   • Combine tahini, vinegar, soy sauce, and chili oil in a bowl.
   • Stir until smooth and creamy, adding sugar if needed.

7. Assemble the Sauce Base

   1 min hands-on

   • Gradually stir boiling water into the sauce until silky and pourable.

8. Combine the Ingredients

   2 min hands-on

   • Add cooked soba noodles to the sauce and toss to coat evenly.

9. Plate the Dish

   2 min hands-on

   • Divide noodles into bowls and top with roasted eggplant and tofu.
   • Sprinkle chopped chives on top.

10. Final Touch

    • Drizzle chili oil over each bowl if desired and serve immediately.
    • Cooking tips:
    • For the best texture, ensure the tofu and eggplant are spread out in a single layer on their trays to allow even roasting. Overcrowding can lead to steaming instead of roasting.
    • Adjust the chili oil based on your spice tolerance. If you prefer a mild dish, use less chili oil or omit it entirely.
    • To avoid splitting the sauce, add the boiling water slowly while stirring constantly. This ensures a smooth, cohesive texture.
    • If you don’t have five-spice, feel free to omit it or replace it with a pinch of smoked paprika or ground cumin for a different flavor twist.