The multi-tasking olympics

  By some amazing stroke of luck you managed to narrowly avoid an expletive and sarcasm laden rant, inspired by a brush with a daily mail headline that could have only been written by one brain dead journalist for his many brain dead readers in search of single IQ stimulation. It may get written up tomorrow but instead you'll have to make do with the joy inspired by tonight's supper.

  As I headed off to the shops, I put a call in to the management to see if she had any requests for her evening meal. After a long pause I got a one word answer, 'soba'. 'As you wish, my princess'. and of to the shops I sped.

  Of all the meals I can think of, soba is the only one that ticks absolutely every one of the boxes. It manages to be healthy, delicious, great to look at, a treat, sophisticated and, dare I say, exotic all at the same time, while also being a joy to cook as it pushes it's creator's organisation, speed and creative skills all at the same time. Phew!

  On top of which, every soba is as unique as a snowflake depending what elements get chosen. This evening's started with a pork stock from my freezer that got finished with sherry, ginger and shoyu. In the broth were the buckwheat noodles that give the dish its name as well roasted broccoli, pan fried pak choi, tempura mushrooms and prawns, kimchi and slow cooked hijiki (seaweed), all garnished with coriander and sesame seeds.

  To get everything hot, (but not overcooked), in the bowl at the same time and looking pretty, required me to be totally focused and organised. It's almost as much of a pleasure to cook as it is to eat. Luckily for me, I got to do both this evening, and as I write this, I'm feeling wonderfully sated by my time in the kitchen and at the dining table. In fact, all I have left to look forward to is the mountain of debris in the kitchen that needs to get cleaned and put away. Lucky me!

Kirk out

RevoltingFood.com