Recipe: Miso soup with watercress and shiitakes

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, finely chopped
• 3 plum (Roma) tomatoes, peeled and seeded, then diced
• 1 tablespoon peeled and finely chopped fresh ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 cups vegetable stock or broth
• 2 tablespoons white miso
• 1/4 pound firm tofu, drained and cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 3 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, brushed clean, and caps thinly sliced
• 1 cup watercress leaves
• 1 green (spring) onion, including tender green top, thinly sliced

Directions

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the yellow onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes, ginger and garlic and saute until the tomatoes are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer.

Whisk in the miso until dissolved. Add the tofu, mushrooms and watercress and simmer until the tofu is heated through and the mushrooms and watercress are softened, about 1 minute.

Ladle into warmed individual bowls and garnish with the green onion. Serve immediately.