I have a handful of recipes that I make on a regular basis. Some of them are written down and others (like this one) I just throw together when I need. I always make this soup for breakfast if I wake up feeling a little off. It might be a sore throat or achy body but if my first thought is “oh no, I hope I’m not getting sick,” this is my go-to recipe. I always have what I need to make the bare bones of this soup and then I add extras according to what is in my fridge. I learned awhile back (when I kept pushing myself and got pneumonia in grad school) to take care of myself before I get really sick. This soup along with some extra relaxing and hydration usually does the trick.

Now, I know the verdict is out on whether soy is good or not. Many say no and my take is to eat only in moderation and to eat it at home where I can buy organic or only go to places where I know they source good soy products. Miso is a soy product but it is fermented which comes with added health benefits. It is good for digestion, is high in antioxidants, helps the body detox from environmental contaminants and is known to improve your immune system. It is also very high in sodium so not something that I eat everyday for sure.

Ingredients:

Measurements are approximate. I usually make only one serving and sort of wing it when it comes to how much. This is why I am a cooker and not a baker (precision is not my strong suit)

1 clove garlic chopped

1 inch ginger diced or grated

1 TBS organic Miso paste (I use white or yellow-red is a much bolder flavor)

1 tsp toasted sesame oil

1 tsp soy sauce

a couple squirts of Sriracha (if you like spicy)

veggies (mushrooms, zucchini, shredded carrot, spinach, kale, other greens, whatever you have!)

juice of 1/2 lemon

green onions

Preparation:

Heat sesame oil in saucepan over medium heat, add garlic and ginger and saute for a few minutes until soft. I usually add the soy sauce now since the grated ginger will sometimes stick to the pan and this de-glazes it a bit. Also add veggies (except greens) Cook for a few minutes. Add Sriracha if using.

Add 1 1/2-2 cups boiling water (I boil it in my tea kettle first because I usually want to get this in my body fast!) Let simmer for a few minutes.

Dissolve the miso in warm water and slowly add to the soup. You don’t want to add it directly to the boiling water, it can kill some of the health benefits. Also, make sure not to cook for too long after miso is added.

Add greens and simmer just until wilted. Turn off heat and add juice of lemon and chopped green onions.

Eat right away saying to yourself “this soup nourishes my body and gives me exactly what I need to stay healthy and happy” 🙂

Keep the basics in the fridge and add any veggies you have

Enjoy! YUM

This little guy always make me feel better too! Cuddles with him while eating the soup are a bonus.