Work Lunches
Soba Edamame Noodles with Peanut Sauce
A practical vegan packed lunch: soba noodles, edamame, cucumber and pepper crunch, peanut dressing.
Ingredients by component
Servings
2
Soba noodles
Edamame
Cucumber and pepper crunch
Peanut dressing
Preparation and assembly
- Cooked components can be prepared the evening before. Cool promptly in shallow containers and refrigerate; the preparation time excludes chilling before packing. Pack all components and dressings cold.
- Soba noodles: Cook noodles according to the packet, usually 4–6 minutes. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to remove excess starch.
- Soba noodles: Drain thoroughly, toss with sesame oil and chill before packing.
- Edamame: Boil edamame for 5–6 minutes or according to the packet. Drain and cool.
- Edamame: Toss with soy sauce and refrigerate once cooled.
- Cucumber and pepper crunch: Halve cucumber, scoop out watery seeds and dice. Slice pepper into strips and carrot into thin sticks.
- Cucumber and pepper crunch: Dry vegetables and pack separately from dressing to keep crisp.
- Peanut dressing: Mix peanut butter with soy sauce and lime. Whisk in warm water a tablespoon at a time.
- Peanut dressing: Once smooth, cool and pack separately. Stir before eating.
- Divide between lunch containers: grains underneath, pulses and vegetables in separate sections, dressing in a small leakproof pot. Mix just before eating. This meal is intended to be eaten cold.
Beginner-friendly tips
Read these three practical tips before cooking. Check how the food looks and feels, not just the clock.
- For packed lunches, prepare cooked components first and cool them promptly in shallow containers. Do not seal a large batch while still hot.
- Pack wet ingredients and dressing separately so grains and crunchy vegetables keep a better texture.
- Pack the dressing in a separate leakproof pot. If no refrigerator is available, use an insulated bag and ice packs and eat promptly.
Tip
Prepare for the next working day. Refrigerate at 4°C or below, carry in an insulated bag with two cold packs and refrigerate on arrival. Add dressing just before eating.