Somen Noodle Soup

12 Apr 2012 Leave a Comment

by Krista Lawhon in Meat Alternatives, Soy Beans & Tofu, Vegan Baking, Vegan Main Meals, Vegan Marinades, Vegan Side Dishes, Vegan Soups Tags: alternative, ASian cooking, Best, blog, broth, Brussels Sprouts, carrots, celery, cooking, Easy, excellent, garlic, ginger, healthy, hoisen, homemade, kitchen, KristaLawhon, marianated, noodles, Recipe, somen, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Somen Noodle Soup with Marinated baked tofu and veggies and homemade broth

For the broth
Zest of 1 lime
2 garlic cloves, smashed
2-inch piece ginger, cut into coins
½ of a large red onion, sliced
sprigs of fresh herbs
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and sliced (i left this out)
salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Bragg’s or soy sauce
1 tbsp. light brown sugar

For the tofu
Juice of 1 lime
2 tbsp. soy sauce
1 tbsp. rice vinegar
1 tbsp. sesame oil
2 tsp. hoisin sauce
2½ tsp. light brown sugar (if it’s dark, use less)
1-inch piece ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced
1 pound extra firm tofu, blotted dry – drain as much water out with breaking the loaf… (I can teach you how.. just reply) and cut into small cubes

For the soup
6 ounces somen noodles
Vegetable oil
½ red onion, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced (again, I didn’t use this)
1 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated or finely minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 celery stick
5 – 10 Brussels sprouts, cut into four

Make the broth
Put all ingredients except for the soy sauce and brown sugar in a large saucepan.  Pour in 8 cups of water and add a large pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.  Cool slightly, then strain out and discard the solids.  Stir in the Bragg’s or soy sauce and brown sugar.  Adjust seasoning as necessary.  Keep warm over low heat.

Make the tofu
Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Mix together the marinade in a medium baking dish.   Stir in the tofu, coating well with the marinade.  Allow to sit out at room temperature for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally to make sure the tofu is coated with the marinade.  Place in the oven, uncovered, and allow to bake until all the marinade is absorbed and the tofu is getting a slight crisp to it, about 35 minutes.  Toss the tofu once or twice in the baking process so that all the pieces come into contact with the pan.  Remove tofu from the oven and allow to cool.

Make the soup
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.  Add the somen noodles and give a good stir.  Cook the noodles until they are almost done, with just a slight bite, and drain.  Rinse well with cold water, drain, and set aside.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add just enough vegetable oil to coat the bottom of the pan.  Add the red onion and sauté until starting to soften, about 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, jalapeño pepper, and ginger and cook for another two minutes, stirring constantly.  Add the veggies and continue to cook, stirring often, until the green vegetables are crisp tender, about 5 minutes.

Place some noodles in the bottom of a deep soup bowl.  Ladle on the broth.  Add tofu and vegetables.

Enjoy… you may garnish with herbs, scallions and slice of jalapeño pepper.

Inspired by another recipe post.