Mint and Scallion Soba Noodles

Surprisingly delicious and refreshing. The dressing is very tasty, but low-key, not recognizably soy-saucy or anything like that. The mint really comes through.

Active time: 10 minutes, Start to finish time: 15 minutes

12 oz. dried soba noodles (Japanese buckwheat)
1/3 cup rice vinegar (not seasoned)
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
1 Tbsp. soy sauce
1 1/4 tsp. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced scallions

Cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water until just tender, about 5 minutes, then drain in a colander. Rinse under cold water to stop cooking, then drain well.

While noodles are cooking, stir together soy sauce, vinegar, oil, sugar, and salt until sugar is dissolved.

toss noodles with dressing, mint, and scallions.

makes 6 servings. from Gourmet June 2001