This light bok choy soup is perfect for chilly days or anytime you're not feeling well. Made with ginger, garlic, bok choy, mushrooms, shallots, and your choice of noodle. Add baked or smoked tofu for a light meal.
1tablespoongrapeseed or other neutral oil, optional - Sub broth for oil-free diets
2largeshallots, finely chopped
3green onions, sliced, divided
8ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, sliced
4 or 5clovesgarlic, minced
1thumb-size pieceginger root, peeled and grated
4cupsvegetable broth
4cupswater
2tablespoonssoy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
1star anise
8ouncesrice noodles, or noodle of choice
salt and pepper
optional sesame seeds for garnish
Instructions
Preheat a large soup pot over medium heat, and add 1 teaspoon of oil. Cook the bok choy undisturbed for about 1 minute. Stir and cook for another minute or so, until dark green and wilted. Season with a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Transfer bok choy to a plate and set aside.
Add the remaining oil to the pot. Saute the shallots, mushrooms, and half of the green onion until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the ginger and garlic to the pot, and cook for 1 minute, stirring frequently.
Add the water, broth, soy sauce, and star anise, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
Add the noodles to the pot and cook according to package directions (increase heat to maintain a simmer). When the noodles are almost done, return the bok choy to the pot so it can heat through. Remove the star anise before serving. Garnish with sliced green onion and sesame seeds.
Notes
Store: Once cool, transfer soup to a storage container and refrigerate for up to 6 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. To freeze, leave room for the liquid to expand and freeze for up to a month.