Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Shitake and Miso Soup


Do you see this child over here to the left? The one in the white jersey, number sixteen. She doesn't like soup. Seriously, where did she come from? That's like saying I don't like cookies, cake, ice cream. There are just too many kinds of each to make such a broad statement as this.
(For the soccer fans, Lauren was fouled, got a penalty kick and got the point.)
I've seen miso featured on one or two blogs that i read. It's so mysterious, I didn't know what it was. I looked it up, simply put, it's fermented soybeans. When i was offered the opportunity from Foodbuzz to order from Asian Food Grocer, I had to order miso and see if it was something i would like and would be able to use in my cooking.
The answer is "yes" and "yes".
The tub of miso I received, had the consistency and color of peanut butter. It had a sesame/salty taste. Being a salt fan and also loving Asian flavors, I could eat this as a dip. I did have to figure out what I was going to do with the miso. How was I going to make it a star?
Tyler Florence had a recipe for a Shitake and Miso Soup. A few of the ingredients he listed, I hadn't heard of and some others I knew I was going to find at the local grocery store. Here is how I adapted his recipe to fit the ingredients I had on hand.
This wound up being a very hearty and flavorful soup. I have a huge container in the freezer and can't wait to heat it up and enjoy this soup again.

The major players, 8 ounce tub of miso, Oriental Style Noodles (wait until you read about these), Dried Shitake mushrooms and pungent minced garlic.

1 bunch scallions, sliced thin, white and green parts separated
1/2 teaspoon powdered ginger
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
8 cups water
1 ounce dried shitake mushrooms
1 cup miso
1 pound Oriental Style Noodles

In a large soup pot over medium heat add the scallion white parts, ginger, garlic, and sesame oil.
Cook for a minute or two.
Add 8 cups water. Bring it to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes - do not let it boil.
Add the crushed red pepper flakes, dried mushrooms and miso to the pot and let it simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the mushrooms are hydrated and tender.
These noodles ~sigh~, they are amazing. I know we're not supposed to say "Oriental" anymore, but it's written on the package. These are described on the Asian Food Grocer site as Orchid noodles. How could I not order these? The noodles do not have a strong flavor, but they have a certain "something, something" that I really like.
Add the noodles simmer until it is tender, about 15 minutes.
Ladle into bowls and garnish with the reserved green parts of scallions.



58 comments:

Sherri Murphy said...

What a beautiful presentation of a wonderful soup.

Lea Ann said...

BEAUTIFUL! This looks and sounds so delicious. It's a "must make" for me. I'm sure I'll be able to find all ingredients. The bowl you used makes for a perfect presentation!

As for your daughter and not liking soup????? she's surely confused - it's probably just a teenager thing. :-)

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

wonderful look and sounds incredible.

theUngourmet said...

I'm the only sane one in my family! They all hate soup too. What is wrong with them!

This looks so warm and delicious!

buffalodick said...

Adventure in a bowl! I liked the look and description.. The salt in the soup you sent me came from the ham- my bad, not yours! Will add potato and broccoli to absorb it..should work!

Chef E said...

My middle name is SOUP, well not really, but you catch my drift! I know my son does not care for soup unless he is sick!

Chef E said...

My middle name is SOUP, well not really, but you catch my drift! I know my son does not care for soup unless he is sick!

The Diva on a Diet said...

How can anyone not like soup?! This does not compute! Did your daughter try this one? I hope so, it looks magnificent! And those noodle are certainly calling my name. I'm going to look out for them and try this ... soup season has just begun, hurrah!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

So yummy looking. I didn't know what Miso was until you explained.

XOXO
Jen

Dewi said...

Simply delicious, love the shitake mushroom so much!

Marjie said...

And poor Lauren ate peanut butter sandwiches. I have such a fussbudget. I have been known to order him to leave the food facility. Of course, he's 24, and therefore can be given such orders.

I wouldn't be eating peanut butter with Lauren. That nutcase on your porch with a bowl? That will be me.

Claudia said...

As a certified soup-o-holic, this looks amazing. What do daughters know? Mine won't eat tomatoes. Go figure!

Jennifer said...

Wow, I am afraid of Miso, I thought it had fish in it or something, LOL. I am now confident I could eat it!

Mary Bergfeld said...

I'm a big fam of miso. Your soup sounds delicious. You'll find this lasts forever. It makes a great glaze for salmon. Have a great day.

Katy ~ said...

Still laughing about 'where did she come from' comment.

My mom ate a miso soup it seems almost every single day. I wish I could make this just for her. She'd be mad for it.

Debbie said...

The only miso soup I've ever had was really just broth. And I've never liked it. This, on the other hand, looks fabulous.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Katherine, That soup sounds delicious. I LOVE soup and cannot imagine not enjoying it--especially on a cold winter's day/night...

Hugs,
Betsy

Reeni said...

What a beautiful bowl of soup!! It sounds so delicious. My Mom hates miso - whenever we have Chinese I tease her - and tell her I ordered her miso soup.

Juliana said...

Love miso flavor, I'll definitely try your recipe since I have all the ingredients around me :-)

The Blonde Duck said...

Did she like the miso soup?

The JR said...

Great looking soup. Temps are dropping some here in MS and have gotten me in the mood to make soup.

Ramona

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Oh goodness...I LOVE soup and could eat it everyday! Glad for cooler weather and the slow cooker and cast iron stove top cooker.

jmt said...

I have a five year old who hasn't really "taken" to soup yet. I don't know if he ever will. Yours looks fantastic.

As for the wording "Oriental"...my training has always been this:

"Oriental" refers to items and things
"Asian" is the term for people

My sis-in-law is Japanese, so I take the training seriously. :)

Debbie said...

My husband and son love soup. I am the cake and sweets lover in my family. The soup sounds delicous though and looks good too!

teresa said...

oh that soup looks so comforting. my husband doesn't like soup either, he accuses me of trying to feed him a drink for dinner!

pam said...

I have had a tub of miso in my frige waiting for the perfect use. Now, I need to find those noodles, because I really like the look of them!

Chris said...

That looks really good! It's getting that time of year, isn't it?

So soccer is a non-contact sport, right? ;)

Bunny said...

WOW does this ever look good!! You're making all kinds of fantastic recipes with the ingredients you sent for!! I have to check them out!!

Kasha said...

No way! I love soup like this. I just didn't think it was possible to make it on my own. You just made it possible. For that you are my favorite person for the week.
Kasha
http://grubandstuff.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Mm...Miso is really nice. Really, REALLY nice. Esp with a soft-boiled egg on top, and poured on top of cooked barley....and topped with scallions and torn nori....

Joanne said...

While I am not the BIGGEST soup fan, I like a good bowl every once in a while. Miso is such an excellent ingredient. I had it the other day over eggplant at a Japanese place - AMAZING. I have been craving that dish ever since.

This soup looks quite yummy. Good job with all of your substitutions.

NKP said...

Yum, I love Asian soups. Why oh why don't they have the tastemakers in Canada? :( Sniff..

NKP said...

PS, I love that bowl. If I ever visit I am stealing it. :)

Lisa said...

We eat a lot of soup. This one looks great. I love the Japanese flavors!

Wandering Coyote said...

My best friend doesn't like soup - she thinks it's too "in between" for her. Not a solid, not a liquid. Or something silly like that. I think she's missing out.

I'm not a fan of miso but your soup looks delicious.

As Natashya said, I wish they let us do FB's Tastemakers up here - though they didn't have a problem with my signing up for it. I feel discriminated against!

Penny said...

Hi Katherine. Haven't commented in a while. It is nice to catch up with you. The soup looks great! If I can find everything I will try it.

Karine said...

Miso soup is so good! It is great you had the chance to try it :)

Unknown said...

I was leaving a comment somewhere today and I saw a comment you had left and I totally fell in love with your little comment box picture. That is adorable. Oh my goodness gracious sakes alive : ) LOVE it! Love it! LOVE it!

Unknown said...

Oh, and the soup looks fantastic. I can't believe your daughter doesn't live it.

tavolini said...

Oh, I like this recipe! All pretty much can be staples (miso lasts forever). I work right next door to a Japanese grocer--I'll have to see if they carry these noodles.

(I couldn't imagine disliking soup!)

Alisa - frugal foodie said...

Nice job Lauren! But, oh, a child who does not love soup?! Perish the thought. That miso sounds wonderful. I will have to look for it.

Maria said...

Great soup for fall!

The Blonde Duck said...

Would she like taco soup? It has chips and cheese? You could say it was a really watery taco...

Jane In The Jungle said...

WOW!!! My hubby will not eat soup in the spring and summer...I'm a year rounder!
You might just want to head over to the jungle......wink, wink.

Anonymous said...

Sounds wonderful and it reminds me that I have miso in my fridge that I really have to use. I should make this right away and I even have shiitake mushrooms.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

I've been wanting to try miso, but I've yet to be able to find it in my supermarket. You soup sounds fantastic. As I grew up my tastes changed and I'm sure your daughter's will as well. In the meantime, there's more for everyone else.
Sam

La Bella Cooks said...

I love the last photo of the completed masterpiece. It looks so warm and inviting! Great recipe.

Juliana said...

Oh! I love miso flavor in soup, specially with noddle..yours looks delicious with the shitake mushrooms in it, great for this season of the year :-)

lisaiscooking said...

Great looking soup! I'm getting familiar with a few ingredients for the first time today too. Hope my results are successful as yours!

Heather @ Simple Wives said...

OH my goodness! I LOVE LOVE LOVE Miso Soup!

I have got to make this!!!!!! :)

buffalodick said...

Kinda starting to miss you.. New post time..

Nazarina A said...

Asian sensation yum! I love miso and so light in this recipe of yours!

Marguerite said...

Oh, this looks soooo good, cher! I would love to try it! My daughter is a finicky eater, too. Great pic of yours!

Pam said...

It's another cold and rainy day - this soup would be perfect.

pigpigscorner said...

I love soup, you can feed me!

Chocolaty Lifestyle said...

Well I'm not surprised, I don't like soups too. :D I just don't like the combination of food in liquid.. :D But there are some soups that are ok, your recipe sounds so great for me!

Heather S-G said...

Ugh...this looks amazing!!! I love miso...but haven't had it in forever! I would love a big bowl of this :D

Sherry said...

But there are like a billion different ways to make a soup! It could be sweet, spicy, sour, salty, hearty, brothy, thick (not to mention umami with miso soups)... I can't imagine someone hating all and every soup out there... Perhaps she just hasn't found her soup yet?