Another week, another adventure… It’s been a hectic three months! Last week I was spending time in my ‘ole stomping grounds – Eureka Springs, AR – a picturesque town nestled in the Ozark Mountains where I grew up and return to often to visit my mom, dad, and sister who live there and seek a little respite at our lake cottage. Whenever we come to Eureka Springs, crossing the Beaver Bridge (above) – an historic one-lane wooden suspension bridge declares,”We’re here!”. Fortunately, the bridge reopened a few days before my trip after being submerged under the rising water for the past month and a half!
I hadn’t been to the lake since February and needed to check on the house after two months of the most violent spring storms the area has seen in decades. We’re 100 miles from Joplin, MO and the tornado that devastated Joplin took its toll on the surrounding area as did several colossal thunder storms which wreaked havoc with high winds, lightning, and days of being deluged with massive rainfall resulted in major flooding in the area.
We usually tie-up under the Old Trestle bridge for some shade and swimming.
It’s a good thing that I made the trip because the sun room showed evidence of water damage and the house was either hit by lightening or a power surge because the refrigerator, TV, DVD player, modem, router, and fax machine were all non-functional – minor damage compared to what many others have lost to be sure, but still enough to contribute to the massive amount of insurance claims being handled by Allstate’s National Catastrophe Team.
The view from our deck and being able to kick back and get off the fast track for a few days of tranquility makes it all worthwhile…
Springtime at the lake.
Only June and the weather was already 90 degrees hot and humid, you have to walk early and spend the rest of the day boating, jet skiing, water skiing, wave running, or listlessly floating on the water like I do. It was nice coming home to more comfortable temps and a garden bursting with lettuce, green beans, and zucchini. I have two zucchini recipes up my sleeve, but for now here’s a simple glad-to-be-home summer recipe packed with fresh flavors of basil, sweet carrot, and bright citrus on top of crunchy veggies and cool, slippery noodles.
Soba Noodle Salad with Peanut-Ginger Dressing
8 ounces soba noodles or whole wheat linguine or spaghetti
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 cup Peanut-Ginger Dressing (recipe follows)
2 tablespoons basil chiffonade*
Grated zest of 1 orange
Grated zest of 1 lime
Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 cucumber, peeled, cut in half lengthwise and sliced
4 scallions, trimmed and julienned
5 oz. bag organic mixed baby greens
Garnish with carrots, red peppers, parsley, chives, and/or chopped peanuts.
1.Prepare the soba noodles or whole wheat pasta as directed on the package. Drain, rinse with cold water, toss with sesame oil in colander, and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, toss the noodles, dressing, basil, orange zest and lime zest.
3. Add the cucumbers, scallions, and greens, and toss gently. Garnish.
4. Toss with the dressing just before serving.
Variations: Feel free to add snow peas, sugar snap peas, julienned yellow bell pepper, sprouts, julienned carrots, toasted sesame seeds, or chopped peanuts.
Other greens such as arugula, kale, spinach, or Napa cabbage can be substituted for the mixed baby greens, too.
Peanut-Ginger Dressing
Makes 1 ¾ cups
¼ cup creamy peanut butter, at room temperature 
Juice of 1 orange
Juice of 1 lime
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons peeled, grated fresh ginger
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup canola or safflower oil
First, use a microplane (a must-have kitchen tool) for the orange and lime zest. (I had those cute always-sweet mandarin oranges called “Cuties” in the fridge so used four of those in place of one orange.) Then, cut the fruit in half and squeeze the juices out.
In a medium bowl, whisk together everything but the oil. Slowly add the oil, and whisk until all the oil is incorporated. Use immediately or refrigerate for up to 6 days.
Cooking Academy
* Not sure how to julienne carrots or chiffonade basil? What’s the difference between chopped, minced, diced? Here’s a very helpful video on knife skills by Food and Style. Viviane Bauquet Farre’s mesmerizes you with her charming accent and soothing voice, and she makes slicing and dicing seem so pleasant and effortless 🙂
Slice, dice, mince and chiffonade for Vegetarian Times from Viviane Bauquet Farre on Vimeo.
How beeautiful! All of it!
Looks like a wonderful visit home! I’m glad the bridge was finally open! That’s so scary about all that weather, but it looks like you guys had perfect weather during your visit! What gorgeous views. Also, love the soba noodle salad. I have some soba noodles and have been toying around with what I want to do with them. A soup or cold salad seems like the most likely options, haha. I think its too hot for soup now too 😉
Really stunning photos! I love vacations like that…they’re the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate. The salad looks amazing, especially with that flavorful dressing!
Love the refreshing salad! Those pictures are awesome.
I am such a sucker for the south. Thanks for the peek. GREG
Good thing you have an insurance! phewww
I wish we could have 90 degrees here for a few months and i love water sport! we just sold the boat and are getting a jet ski instead. I can’t wait to hit the water.
anyway, your salad sounds really refreshing and i like the peanut ginger dressing. It goes so well with soba noodles!
All that citrus fruit looks good juiced like that for your salad dressing. Isn’t real Summer wonderful, it’s pouring rain here today, now that’s just plain weird for this time of year! Beautiful photos Priscilla, enjoy;-)
What a great trip back home! This salad looks amazing! I love all the different flavors in it. Definitely saving for later!
Gorgeous photos! That salad looks so refreshing and healthy. I love it!
nice post, the recipe looks great full of flavor!
I was just looking at the package of soba noodles in my pantry the other day thinking to myself it had been a while sine I had made any. Perfect timing!
What a beautiful place to visit. I love places that are really greeen. Love those soba nooodles too, I need to make more lighter dishes now that it is warming up. Sounds like you are having a wonderful summer so far.
-Gina-
The bridge in the first picture is so beautiful. A perfect summer shot. I hope the weather settles down for the rest of the year. So much has happened and its only June.
Hi Priscilla..you can’t never had enough of the adventures and I can see that you are having great time exploring! I love your pictures and your salad looks so refreshing and colorful..full of summer!!!
This is my kind of noodles! It is HOT today and I can do with a plate of this right now. I have never been to the Ozark Mountains but it looks so serene and picturesque. Thanks for sharing your lovely photos 🙂
I want to hop in my car and go to AR now! Your photos are beautiful!!
An adventure trip is always a special one hope you have a great time and salad looks great !! loved it .. Pics looks great !!
Thanks everyone! So happy that you enjoyed the pics and I could give you a little peek into the Ozarks!
We have friends that moved from the Bay Area to Bentonville. Last time we visited them, we ventured to the Ozarks and Eureka Springs. Cute little town. Your salad looks so tasty and I just wish I had it in front of me right now. I am SO hungry! Enjoy your 4th!!!
@Lisa – That must have been a BIG change for them! I fly into Bentonville, but that’s about it. Eureka Springs, on the other hand, is a cute, artsy town with an interesting history. Hope you’re having a fabulous 4th!
What a beautiful place. I would love to spend some relaxing time there. The soba salad looks so refreshing and delicious. Thanks for sharing : )
What a great salad…and in love with the dressing!
I have not been to Eureka Springs in forever…looks gorgeous 🙂 Sorry about the damage, but sounds like it could have been much worse.
What do you say to us taking a trip there when it’s below my fry temperature? 🙂
I love peanut sauces! THis is a new one to add to my list of peanut sauces to try (: my favourite is still the classic Singapore satay peanut sauce that I grew up with though!
http://mummyicancook.blogspot.com/2011/07/tut-tut-satay-singapore-chicken-satay.html