Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango
Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango
It’s spring! It’s the time of year when fruits and veggies that haven’t been readily available all winter, start to make their reappearance in our markets and the bounty of food that surrounds me really starts to hit home. We are so fortunate to live in times and places of plenty, and we food bloggers celebrate this every week in our posts. Now, lest you think that I have gone soft in the head and am confusing the season with Thanksgiving, my ramblings are really just sparked by the title of the cookbook from which this recipe hails: Plenty by Yotam Ottolenghi. I am sure that most of you are familiar with this very popular cookbook, but if you aren’t, I encourage you to check it out. It epitomizes abundance; each page overflowing with gorgeous recipes and photographs made with fresh and healthy ingredients, tempting us at every turn to make another recipe from the kitchen of this very talented chef. I have made today’s recipe numerous times now and every time I do, my taste buds jump for joy (so does my husband!) It is one of those recipes that I keep coming back to because I literally need to experience this combination of flavours again. If you are having a little dinner party, make this recipe and you will so impress your guests! That is why I have brought it tonight to Fiesta Friday! I know the gang there will enjoy it! If you haven’t checked out the hottest blog party in the blogosphere yet, come on over! There is a link on our host Angie’s blog, The Novice Gardener. One click and you open the door to a myriad of scrumptious things to feast your eyes on, and plenty of super nice bloggers too!
Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango
Ingredients:
½ cup rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons white sugar
½ teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, crushed
½ fresh red chile, finely chopped or ½ teaspoon sambal olek (see picture below)
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
grated zest and juice of one lime
1 cup sunflower oil
2 eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch dice
1 large mango, cut into 3/8 inch dice
1 2/3 cup basil leaves, chopped (if using Thai basil, use less of it)
2 ½ cups cilantro leaves, chopped
½ red onion, very thinly sliced
Method:
In a small saucepan, gently warm the vinegar, sugar, and salt for up to 1 minute, just until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and add the garlic, chili and sesame oil. Allow to cool, and then add the lime zest and juice. Set this mixture aside.
Heat the sunflower oil in a large pan and shallow-fry the eggplant in batches. Once golden brown, remove to a colander, sprinkle liberally with salt and leave there to drain.
Cook the noodles in a pot of boiling, salted water, stirring occasionally – about 5 to 8 minutes until tender, but al dente. Drain and rinse well under running cold water. Shake off as much of the excess water as possible, then leave to dry on a dish towel.
In a mixing bowl, toss the noodles with the dressing, mango, eggplant, half of the herbs and the onions. You can now leave this aside for 1 to 2 hours. When ready to serve, add the rest of the herbs and mix well.
Pile on a plate or in a bowl and sigh with delight when the first fork full hits your taste buds! Or burst into song, which I have also done!
Foodie On Board 
79 Responses to “Soba Noodles with Eggplant and Mango”
I wonder if we have spring time in the Philippines, too!
Anyway, this noodles looks really good. Well, I haven’t tried eating soba noodles with mango(mango with rice, yes!), but what’s not good in noodles, eggplant and mango all together? And by looking at the ingredients, I could imagine this is really good and I am sure party goers are FF will love this. 🙂
Thanks for sharing this with us, we will surely jump for joy. 😀
Enjoy FF15, Chef Julianna! ❤
Thanks so much, Jhuls! I will really enjoy FF like I usually do, but especially so since you are one of the co-hosts! Your comments are very sweet, just like you! 😀 Now, I’d better leave you, because I’m sure you have many other guests to tend to! Happy Fiesta Friday! 🙂
I’m almost done with that and I am now relaxing… or let me say taking a bite of everything! 😀 Thanks to you, too, for the sweet compliment. Enjoy the weekend, Chef Julianna! 😉
Looks delish. I am hoping for a copy of Plenty on Mothers Day! 🙂
Well, I really hope you do get one for Mother’s Day! 😀
[…] Julianna […]
Beautiful combination of flavors, and also of colors! A real spring treat…
Thanks so much Sabine! It seems like many of us are really enjoying the colours and flavours of spring! Thank goodness it is here at last!
Love this dish.
Thanks Hilda!
I love the colours of this dish! can’t wait to try it out this summer! 😀
Yes, the colours reeled me in too! Hope you get to try it and that you like it as much as me! 😀
That looks so delicious Julianna 🙂 I can only imagine how good it would be with eggplants and mango!
Thanks Linda! Oh yes, this is a lovely combination! 🙂
Beautiful dish, Julianna…ahhh, the colors of Spring! It sounds positively delicious. I really must search out that cookbook…I’ve heard mentions of it at least 3 times in the last week. Happy FF and happy weekend. 🙂
Thanks Nancy! Yes, so many people talk about this cookbook and I understand why! I could happily cook from it exclusively for months. Happy FF to you to and I hope you have a delicious weekend! 😀
I’ve never thought to pair eggplant with mango, but these noodles look mighty fine! I have Ottolenghi’s other book, Jerusalem. I’ll have to look for Plenty at the library. There’s been so much said about it!
Well, as it turns out, eggplant and mango are a superb combination, thankfully! If you like Jerusalem, you will love Plenty. It is every bit as good. 🙂
Wow, I would never have thought of using mango here – must try this recipe – it sounds as though it’s going to taste as good as it looks, so looking forward to it!
Emma 🙂
Hey Emma! Yes, when I first saw mango and eggplant together, I thought it might be a bit odd, but it really works so well! But this is the beauty of Fiesta Friday – you can sample a little bit here and there and know what you want to make later! I hope you enjoy it! 😀
Better go back and make more Julianna, cuz I just ate the whole bowl! (That’s what we do at parties right? Hog the bowl? Ok, ok I’ll behave and put some back.) This looks absolutely scrumptious and is making me hungry for some soba and fresh Spring veggies and fruits. Love all that color, too! This cookbook is amazing and I hope you keep posting recipes from it so I can make them after you, like I did those carrots!
LOL! You crack me up, Ngan! So glad you’re putting some back :D…but I have a secret stash in the fridge for later…so if you’re still hungry in a few hours, I’ll show you where it is 😀 – only cuz I like you!! And hey, I don’t mind cooking from the book and posting the recipes for you to make! For that matter, I think I have another one coming up soon! Enjoy the party and please leave some food for me 😉 !
🙂 I checked the cookbook out from the library last year, but I know I’ll have to own it eventually for the beautiful pictures and stories. Until then, I’ll just cook my way through your blog!
And I will happily blog the recipes for you! 😀
I love soba noodles, and the addition of mango and eggplant is a new idea (to me) sounds delish!
Yes, I understand!It was new to me the first time too, but so wonderful!
Between you and Dimple….you two are always introducing me to very intriguing dishes that I have never heard of! Looks good Julianna! A fun addition to the party this week!
Wow, that you would even include me in the same sentence as Dimple, is a huge compliment! But, I am glad that I can present some intriguing dishes! Happy Fiesta Friday, Lori! 😀
Oh honey! You’re too kind…But you are an amazing chef in your own right! This dish is superb! One I shall be making very soon xx
No really, Dimple! I honestly look up to your blog so much! You are awesome and inspire me very much! 😀
I love your food too dear Lori x
Ah, so sweet! 🙂
Ohhh! That looks good, Julianna. Although I don’t eat mangoes I love using it in dishes I make for Nikhil! 🙂 What a great combination of ingredients you’ve used.
Thanks Aditi! Lucky Nikhil, he gets your share of the mangoes! 😀
Wow !Julianna this looks incredible! What flavors! I can’t wait to try this! thanks for the recipe. Just out of curiosity, is this a Vietnamese dish? Just love the combination of different wonderful ingredients here!
Hi Indu! Glad you like the look of it! I would say it is Asian, but I don’t really know if it is Vietnamese. Ottolenghi is from Israel, but his recipes have many influences. So that is a very good question that I can’t really answer 🙂 Happy Fiesta Friday to you and have a great weekend! 😀
oh np. Was just curious. And I have to get my hands on this book now! 🙂 thanks for introducing!
I love the idea of adding mango – really sounds delicious and so creative!
wonderful combination of flavors! light dish but super tasty! thanks for sharing:)
My pleasure! I always enjoy sharing a fine recipe! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment! I really appreciate it! 😀
Très original ces saveurs 🙂 I love it !
Merci Catherine! Tu es vraiment gentille! 😀
An interesting combination – mango in noodles. Lovely! 🙂
Thank-you Ahila! So glad you think so and very happy that you stopped by to have a look! 😀
Love this recipe Julianna! Any salad with buckwheat is sooo good – and so good for you! It’s really a superfood recipe! 😉
Thanks Sylvia! There is just something about this time of year that inspires me to eat more super foods! I don’t eat much pasta, but I do enjoy soba noodles! Have a great weekend, huh? 😀
Wow, mangoes, that is really creative! What a wonderful recipe for using so a noodles and fresh ingredients, and so colourful too, thanks so much for bringing this to Fiesta Friday! 😀
I think I could make it a life’s purpose to find more dishes to put mangoes in 😉 ; well almost 😀
Hi Julianna – I’ve finally made it through the throng to say hello to you! I love Yottam’s recipes and have Plenty on my wish list a the moment. This recipe sounds like an absolute explosion of gorgeous flavours – it will not last long at the Fiesta! Thanks for bringing this along and enjoy the party!
Hey Selma! Glad to finally get a chance to say hello! I really hope you can get a copy of this wondrous cookbook! Thanks so much for co-hosting us tonight! You know we really appreciate it! Have a wonderful weekend 😀
wow!!!!good! that hunger!
Thanks Simi!!
This looks absolutely divine! I love soba noodles- so delicious!
Wow Chef! Excellent. What a combination of ingredients in a nooe bowl. But if it is right with rice then it is right with noodles :). Gorgeous!
Thanks so much, Sonal! Have a wonderful weekend! 😀
This dish is so colorful Julianna! Beautiful & must taste lovely too. Perfect use of spring’s bounty 🙂
Thanks so much, Naina!
I am imagining you bursting into song as you dig in, Julianna. Don’t mind if I join you!!
Haha! Yes, I am known to sing about the weirdest things!! And please do join me…maybe we could harmonize! 😀
Hmmm…I don’t know about my singing voice, especially if my mouth is chock full of noodles! 😉
Haha, I don’t know about my singing voice…especially if my mouth is chock full of noodles! 😉
Hey, you never know, we may just invent a new genre! 😉
You’re right! Everybody loves food so it’s sure to be a hit! 😉
Beautiful dish Julianna! We are slowly creeping towards warmer weather and I cannot wait for the veggies and herbs to appear in my little garden and the local Farmer’s Market. I hope they are selling Thai basil plants again at the Kitchen Garden sale in a couple of weeks. I have to confess that I do not own this cookbook and I know I can justify buying a new one 🙂
Hi JuJu! Well if you do get this book, you really will never be sorry! Good luck with the basil plants too. There is nothing better than garden fresh herbs!
“Plenty” arrived today – I am anxious to look through it and make some new recipes including your recipe. Thanks for sharing… The herb/veggie sale is this weekend at the Botanical Gardens and I look forward to volunteering and shopping for my herbs and a few veggies 🙂 They are selling Thai basil again!
I know you are going to just love it!! Have fun cooking from this great cookbook, JuJu! The fresh basil is going to be wonderful in this dish!! I can’t wait till you make it! Let me know what you think! 😀
My goodness, I just love Ottolenghi recipes! I own every one of his cookbooks!!
Oh, you are so very lucky! I have Plenty and Jerusalem so far. I will cook my way through them before I get anymore, even though I am tempted! 😀
You’re only missing his first book called Ottolenghi…and I follow him on Twitter and see that a ‘Plenty More’ is in the works!
Oh, a Plenty More is very exciting news indeed! Thanks for letting me know! 😀
Reblogged this on Chef Ceaser.
May I scream “It’s Spring”??? Please, say yes. Your soba noodles are the quintessence of the freshness I’m looking for during these first warm days.
I had my first plate of soba noodles just 2 weeks ago, I adored them even though the “season” was simple. I bet your eggplants and mango “sauce” has to be amazing!
Wow this is delectable Juliana. Wonderful flavors and whole foods, the mango and eggplant.
Regards,
Randy
Eggplant and noodles !! Wow, I never thought of this combination. Looks very interesting.
How awesome! I have a so a entree recipe I will be sharing soon. Cold soba so delicious. M m m…I see you added the mangoes. Yummy! 🙂
Looking forward to it! I really do love soba noodles! 🙂
This looks delicious and refreshing! I don’t think I’ve ever had soba with either eggplant or mangos…will have to try it sometime! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Thanks Ada! Until I tried this recipe, I had never tried the combination either. It really works, though! 😀