Cold Soba and Marbles Salad
WITH CUCUMBER, EDEMAME AND SOY-GINGER DRESSING
Are you an overthinker? I am. I sit around and wonder: Do people genuinely like mayonnaise? Do my dogs actually like me, or do they simply lack the agency to leave me? You know, the usual. Perhaps this is why I love recipes. I don’t have to think at all. And with that brilliant segue, I introduce the second Back2Werk recipe! This slurpy number spanks every one of my criteria for a “posh-yet-portable” lunch option. It’s salty, nutty, tangy, full of protein AND it’s easier to prepare than your morning Macha-Tarro-Latte with four pumps of lavender syrup (seriously, you have a problem). Best of all, it leaves you plenty of time to question everything else in your life. Like why your coffee requires a course in herbalism. Bon appetit!

Ingredients
Soy-Ginger Dressing
- 5 tbsp light soy sauce
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp sesame oil
- 2 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
Marbles
- 2 x Thick-Cut Filet
- ½ tsp salt
- Cracked black pepper
- 2 tbsp neutral oil
Noodle Salad
- 2 portions of soba noodles (cooked according to package instructions and cooled down)
- 1 cup of edamame beans (steamed or blanched)
- 4 baby cucumbers (sliced)
- ¼ cup coriander (tightly packed; destemed)
- 1 spring onion (thinly sliced)
SERVES 2 / TAKES 20 MINUTES
preparation
Soy-Ginger Dressing
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl or jar and whisk until combined.
- Divide into two small containers and store in the fridge.
Marbles
- Season the Filets with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Heat oil in a nonstick pan over medium heat and add the Filets.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes on both sides, until nicely browned and heated through.
- Slice the filet into 1-2 cm / 0.4-0.8 inch thick slices.
Noodle Salad
- Combine cooked noodles, edamame and baby cucumbers in a bowl and toss to combine.
- Divide between two containers and top it with cooked Thick-Cut Filet.
- Sprinkle with coriander, spring onions and toasted sesame seeds.
Heating up
- Remove the Thick-Cut Filet from the container and heat it in a non-stick pan or microwave.
- Return to the container, pour over the dressing and toss to coat.