One thing I like to do in the winter months is make soups. Another thing I like to do for friends is make them a nourishing meal when they need it. This week, I made this soup for a friend of mine and her family after she had abdominal surgery. We are in the depth of winter in Denver, so I wanted to make something warm, nourishing, simple, easy to digest and healthy. This soup is healthy in many ways and it is deliciously simple.
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It is a hearty vegetarian meal that has complete protein content with udon noodles, black beans, kale and carrots in miso broth.
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It has the warming digestive property of ginger
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It has the health benefits of shiitake mushroom of having antitumor, cholesterol-lowering, and virus-inhibiting effects.
Here is the soup that I shared with my friend and her family
UDON NOODLES W/ SHIITAKE-GINGER BROTH
1 package of udon noodles
2 Tbls. toasted sesame oil
1 bunch lacinato kale (washed and chopped without stems)
5 cups water
2-3 carrots thinly sliced
1 package of dried shiitake mushrooms (if there are stems, snap/cut off stems) (I got these in the Asian section of the grocery and they come in a 1.76 oz. bag)
2 cans of black beans, drained
4 tsps. finely minced fresh ginger root
4-5 Tbls. of red miso dissolved in 1 1/2 cups hot water
1 tsp. red pepper flakes (for a kick.)
Directions:
1. Reconstitute shiitake mushrooms in a bowl with 2 cups of hot water. Set aside for about 20-30 mins.
2. Prepare udon noodles according the package directions. Drain. Stir in sesame oil and set aside.
3. While mushrooms are reconstituting, slice carrots, chop kale, mince ginger and drain black beans.
4. Put the 5 cups of water in a large pot with carrot and mushrooms w/ the 2 cups of water from the reconsititution. Bring the pot to a boil, and reduce heat to simmer, cover and cook for 5-10 minutes.
5. Add the kale, beans and ginger. Cook uncovered until kale is tender and a brighter green
6. When kale is ready, turn off heat and stir in the miso broth, noodles
7. Serve it up and sprinkle red pepper flakes if you want to serve it with a subtle kick.
8. Eat and nourish your body.
