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Miso Soup

Miso Soup
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Miso Soup is a warm, nourishing Japanese classic featuring a rich umami flavor from fermented miso paste combined with simple ingredients like dashi stock, silken tofu, wakame seaweed, and green onions. Quick to prepare and highly customizable, this comforting soup is perfect as a light meal starter or an adaptable main dish addition.

Ingredients

Scale

Broth Base

  • 4 cups dashi stock (made from kombu seaweed and bonito flakes or plant-based alternative)
  • 2 tablespoons miso paste (fermented soybean paste)

Main Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup silken tofu, cut into small cubes
  • 1 tablespoon dried wakame seaweed, rehydrated and chopped
  • 2 green onions, thinly sliced

Optional Variations

  • Vegetables: sliced mushrooms, spinach, carrots (to taste)
  • Proteins: shrimp, chicken, or poached egg (to taste)
  • Spices: chili oil or red pepper flakes (to taste)
  • Noodles: soba or udon (cooked, as desired)
  • Gluten-Free Option: gluten-free miso paste and tamari instead of soy sauce

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Dashi Broth: Gently heat 4 cups of dashi stock in a pot over medium heat, avoiding a hard boil to preserve delicate flavors. This broth forms the essential base of the soup.
  2. Rehydrate Wakame: Soak the dried wakame seaweed in cold water for 5 to 10 minutes until it softens and expands. Drain and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Add Tofu: Cut silken tofu into small cubes and gently add them into the warm broth. Heat through carefully without stirring too vigorously to keep tofu intact.
  4. Dissolve Miso Paste: Remove a small amount of hot dashi and whisk in 2 tablespoons of miso paste in a separate bowl until smooth. Gradually stir this mixture back into the pot off the heat to maintain the beneficial enzymes.
  5. Final Touches: Add the softened wakame seaweed and thinly sliced green onions. Serve immediately while warm for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Keep the soup gentle by avoiding boiling after adding miso to preserve flavor and nutrients.
  • Use fresh, high-quality miso paste for the best taste.
  • Taste before serving and adjust saltiness by adding more miso or water as needed.
  • Serve miso soup warm rather than hot to enjoy its comforting qualities without overwhelming heat.
  • Experiment with dashi variations: try kombu-only dashi for vegetarian versions or add bonito flakes for traditional flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: miso soup, Japanese soup, umami, quick soup, healthy soup, tofu soup, dashi, vegetarian soup, gluten free

Find it online: https://mealsbylina.com/miso-soup/