Adapted from Udon with Mushroom Broth, Cabbage and Yams

INGREDIENTS

• 6 cups organic vegetable broth
• 2 cups water
• 3/4 cup thinly sliced peeled fresh ginger
• 2 lemongrass stalks, outer dark layers removed, all but bottom 4 inches cut off and discarded
• 2 6-inch strips dried seaweed (kombu)
• 1 tbsp dried japanese red pepper (tokai togarashi wagiri)
• 2 tbsp tamari soy sauce
• 1 tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 10 ounces fresh, shiitake mushrooms
• 1 cup sliced garlic greens (or green onions)
• 4 cups 1/2-inch-wide crosswise slices cored Napa cabbage
• 2 cups slender carrots, peeled, thinly sliced on diagonal
• 10 ounces Japanese-style udon noodles or soba noodles
• 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 to 6 ounces semi-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (optional)
• Tamari soy sauce

DIRECTIONS

1. Bring broth and water to simmer in large pot over medium heat. Add ginger through red pepper. Cover; simmer about 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a large non-stick pan, saute onions, mushrooms and garlic greens in 1 tbsp oil over medium high heat until mushrooms are tender (about 5-10 minutes). Set aside.
3. Prepare udon noodles according to package instructions. Set aside.
4. Using tongs, remove kombu; discard kombu. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer into another large pot; discard solids (except for ginger pieces) in strainer. Chop ginger pieces and add back to pot.
5. Add chopped carrots, onion/mushroom mixture, and cabbage to the broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until carrots and cabbage are crisp tender, about 4-5 minutes.
6. Add cilantro, tofu, tamari, and rice vinegar to broth and stir. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Using tongs, divide noodles among bowls. Ladle broth over and serve.

NOTES

Lemongrass, an herb that resembles a green onion, has a mild lemony flavor.

Kombu (a.k.a. kelp) is a variety of seaweed that’s often used for making stock. It’s usually sold dried.

Tokai Togarashi Wagiri is a type of japanese dried red pepper (be careful, it’s extremely HOT)

Tamari is a dark sauce made from soybeans.

Udon is a thick wheat-or corn-based Japanese noodle.