A Healthier Soba Noodle Bowl

Brrr it's freezing out! At  least through the Mid-Atlantic, it's been in the single digits and even negative with the windchill! I don't know about you but it definitely makes it hard to get out of bed in the morning, out of my pajamas at all, and even to leave the house. It's hibernation time!! We all tend to lean to the heavier foods during the dark days of winter. I've been looking for something filling, hearty, warming, and comforting so I started digging through the cabinets last week and starting throwing things together and I can up with a healthier version of a soba noddle bowl. Now I can't get my mind off of it! Though it does take about 30 minutes with prep and cooking. It's well worth it. Make a larger batch and then you can have a couple of days of this filling dish!This dish is low in sodium, miso-free, gluten-free, and feel free to change-up the ingredients to things you have at home or for things you like better.Ingredients:

• 1 cup of water
• 3 cups of low sodium organic vegetable stock (got more time-make your own!)
• 3 Tablespoons sesame seed oil- (2 for cooking, 1-to add to the broth after)
• 1 cup organic purple cabbage chopped
• 2 organic carrots chopped
• 2 organic Spring onions sprigs chopped
• 3 cloves organic garlic-minced
• 1 organic yellow or red pepper  chopped
• 1/2 of an organic yellow or white onion chopped
• 1 package Buckwheat Soba Noddles
• 1 cup Organic Edamame-out of the pods
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• 1 pinch of cayenne powder
• 1 watermelon radish-sliced thinly

Directions:Broth Base:

1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Add soba noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes. They should stay firm and be a little al dente. Drain noodles once they're cooked.
2. With sesame oil saute carrots, yellow/ white onions, peppers, and garlic until tender. Throw in edamame for about 2 minutes to get them to cook down and soften a little (they'll soften more in the broth)
3. In another pot, add water, vegetable stock, 1 tablespoon sesame oil, and cayenne powder. Bring to a soft boil. Add sautéed carrots, onions, garlic, cabbage, and peppers. Let simmer for 3-5 minutes.
4. In a serving bowl, ladle in broth and vegetables, add 2 handfuls of Soba noodles. Top with spring onions, sesame seeds, and slices of radish.
5. Serve with a fork and spoon or chopsticks. Hope you enjoy it!!!