Chilled Soba noodle salad with Chicken

Something light and easy for lunch.  Start with chicken breast, seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.  Sear it in a sautee pan, let cool to room temperature.



For the vegetables, slice up bell peppers and scallions.



Trim green beans, shell some fava beans, then blanch in boiling water for about a minute, and shock in ice water.  Drain and dry them off when cool.



Toast sesame seeds lightly.  These are black sesame seeds.  If you're using the usual stuff, do NOT let them get to this color.



Do the same thing to some soba noodles.



Here's where the magic happens.  What is in this jar is a combination of scallions, garlic, star anise, red pepper flakes, and ginger.  Heat that, plus a half cup of vegetable oil, until the garlic starts to brown.  Let cool, then jar it.




Combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and a pinch of sugar in a bowl.




Throw in the veggies, sesame seeds, soba noodles, and chicken.  Toss, and serve with cilantro.