Are you a soup fan? If so, this is especially for you. I’m sharing one of my favorites, and how you can make your own Japanese-style miso soup and be so happy and healthy.
Nerd alert! I lived in Japan for six months and miso soup became a comfort food. I learned is for many of my Japanese friends it served as the “breakfast of champions,” full of dense nutrients and heart warming love. While I thought I was in Japan for mining data around entrepreneurship, the true win came as I began collecting data on healing foods. Artfully blended foods that helped heal my gut, support my hormones and elevate my energy levels while decreasing body fat. I’m sharing this deliciously good gift– a recipe that can rock your world. I’ll explain a few of the reasons why after I share the recipe.
Japanese Miso Soup
Step 1: Combine the following in a blender.
Ingredients:
64 ounces of water/ 1/2 gallon of water (8 cups)
5-6 Tablespoons of brown or yellow miso (you can buy the paste in the refrigerated area of Whole Foods or Asian markets)
3-4 garlic cloves
1 1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil
1 1/2 teaspoon of Five Spice Powder
2-3 dashes of Sea Salt
Step 2: Blend until smooth. Pour in pan. Warm on low heat and add the following ingredients.
1 1/4 cup diced bok choy
1 1/4 cup celery
7-8 chopped scallion onion stalks
2 thumb sized nubs of finely chopped or sliced ginger
1 cup sliced mushrooms (any variety; may I suggest shitiake?)
1/2 cup of sea veggies (any variety)
Step 3: Optional garnish of fresh chopped cilantro or parsley. Both if you’re feeling it.
Why Miso makes me so happy
For centuries Japan and China relied on miso, a fermented Superfood containing live friendly microflora promoting numerous health benefits to the body’s immune system and growth of healthy gut bacteria. When choosing, keep in mind the unpasteruized, non-GMO miso.
Garlic, it isn’t just for warding off vampires
I love using garlic in soups because brings flavor and medicinal support. And by medicinal, I mean the ancient kind of medicine.
Garlic gets a good wrap for helping lower inflammation and reduce toxic loads while boosting the immune system. It’s known to help in the treatment of cancer, heart health, and the common cold. It’s worth enjoying– and like miso, garlic boasts synergistic superpowers in preventative medicine.
Magical Mushrooms
So why eat fungus, really? For their many benefits. Mushrooms are a hit because they’re low in cholesterol, and calories and yet they deliver. Why you ask? Because they provide beneficial fibers that helps us to feel satiated. Mushrooms are also magical little darlings, (lest they be giant portabellos) by helping support the immune system and preventing chronic disease by delivering nice amounts of antioxidants.
For this recipe, consider shiitake or maitake. I actually buy my organic dried shiitake online through Fungus Among Us. I like their sense of humor and quality. The one pound bag last a good while, and you’ll receive great benefits without the pesticide and herbicide extras.
The Little Mermaid’s Secret
Sea Veggies are mineral-rich, nutrient dense, versatile and delicious. Sea vegetables are known for helping detoxify the body from heavy metals, environmental pollutants and cancer causing products. It helps balance out thyroid function, and overcome mineral deficiencies, and this is just naming a few.
You can find sea vegetables in health food stores like Whole Foods or Sprouts, and also in Asian produce markets. If you’re a sushi fan, you’ve probably heard of nori- the seaweed wrap. But why not explore even more? If you are wanting to use a sea veggie that’s been found to have fat burning properties, try wakame. Want to go with tried and true? Use kombu. It’s a popular miso soup ingredient.
Chime In!
I want to know, have you tried miso soup before? Or, are you a miso soup fan? If so what’s your favorite combination?
