yasai yaki soba

After a long winter break, and a long time not posting, I'm back to work! It's my final semester of school, so I'm preparing for the busiest semester, especially since in addition to classes I will be working on my final paper and looking for jobs. I am SO looking forward to having free time in my life after I'm finished-- not coming home in the evenings only to have more work to accomplish.

One thing all this schooling has (indirectly) taught me is how to be extra efficient in the kitchen. I've come to learn to either make mass amounts of food on Sunday evening, and spread the leftovers over the week nights, or I've found dishes I can make in a snap. My newest endeavor is "The wagamama Cookbook". I didn't know it at the time I bought it, but apparently wagamama (no, they do not capitalize...) is a Japanese restaurant located in the big cities of the world (except the U.S.) and so this cookbook is a collection of their recipes, conveniently portioned for two-- great for me since I'm only cooking for one. Anyway, restaurant-style recipes = fast! After practicing all this week, I've gotten one recipe down to 14 minutes flat, from the time I walk into the kitchen to when I am ready to sit down and eat. And hey, it's good...


Yasai Yaki Soba
(adapted from "The wagamama Cookbook")


9 oz. soba noodles (these are buckwheat, although I experimented
          with egg noodles and they were good as well)
2 eggs
1/2 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
1/2 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
2 green onions, sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
handful of bean sprouts
sesame seeds
3 T light soy sauce
1 T sugar
   
Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling water for 2-3 minutes until just tender. Drain and rinse under cold water.
Beat the eggs in a bowl and add the soy sauce, sugar, and garlic. Mix. Add the vegetables to this egg mixture and mix to coat.
Heat a wok (regular frying pan also works) over medium heat and add vegetable oil. Add the egg mixture with vegetables, and the noodles. Stir-fry for 3 minutes. 
Divide between two bowls and top with sesame seeds. Easy!