Sweet, Sour, and Spicy Soba

For two servings:


3 T brown rice syrup
3 T rice wine vinegar
3 T toasted sesame oil
2-3 cloves garlic, freshly grated
1-2 t soy sauce
1-2 t ginger, freshly grated
1-2 t Japanese 7 spice mix
Pinch wasabi powder, or to your taste
1/4 red bell pepper, diced

1/3 pack (1 bundle) buckwheat soba noodles
1/2 c frozen peas


Mix everything but noodles and peas in a small bowl and let marinate for 15-20 minutes. Cook noodles according to package instructions in salted water. Drain noodles and add the remaining ingredients and put back on burner at low heat until the sauce is absorbed by the noodles and thickens and the peas are warmed through. The Japanese 7 spice mix contains cayenne, sesame seeds, orange peel, ginger, Szcechuan pepper, poppy seeds, and seaweed--and it packs some heat. Adust the sweet, sour, and spicy components to your liking.