Homemade Miso Soup (Vegetarian Version Available!)
The Lowdown:
There's nothing quite like a warm bowl of homemade miso soup to soothe the soul and satisfy the stomach. Miso soup has been a part of the Japanese diet for centuries, and for a good reason. It's not only delicious but also incredibly healthy.
Miso is made from fermented soybeans, and it's a rich source of probiotics, which promote good gut health. It also contains essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, such as copper, manganese, and zinc. Wakame seaweed is another ingredient in miso soup that's packed with nutrients, such as iodine, calcium, and magnesium.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- ½ cup dried bonito flakes (katsuobushi) [For a vegetarian version, use vegetable broth instead of bonito flakes.]
- ½ cup sliced green onions (white and light green parts only)
- ½ cup cubed tofu
- ¼ cup miso paste
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp mirin
- Optional: sliced mushrooms, wakame seaweed, or shrimp
Steps:
- In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil over high heat. Add the bonito flakes, reduce the heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it sit for another 5 minutes to allow the bonito flakes to settle to the bottom of the pan.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer and discard the bonito flakes.
- Return the broth to the saucepan and add the green onions and optional ingredients, if using. Simmer for 5-10 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the miso paste, soy sauce, and mirin until smooth.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the miso mixture.
- Add the cubed tofu and let it sit for a few minutes to warm through.
- Serve hot and enjoy!
Tip #1: One potential issue you may encounter when making miso soup is the miso paste clumping together and not dissolving properly in the soup. To avoid this, you can use a small strainer to dissolve the miso paste in a small amount of dashi stock before adding it to the soup.
Tip #2: Another issue may be the wakame seaweed expanding too much and taking over the soup. To prevent this, soak the seaweed in water for a few minutes before adding it to the soup and use it sparingly.
Tip #3: Use a lighter miso paste for a milder flavor or a darker miso paste for a stronger, saltier flavor.
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We hope you enjoy this homemade miso soup recipe. Not only is it delicious and comforting, but it's also quick to assemble. And if you're looking for high-quality cooking tools to enhance your home cooking experience, be sure to check out our selection of cooking tools. Happy cooking!
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