This shiitake mushroom soup is a delicious start to a meal full of health benefits.
It is a delicious superfood soup for you and just might replace grandma’s chicken soup cure!!
Delicious Shiitake Mushrooms combined with garlic, ginger, onions, and chili peppers all contribute immunity-boosting, infection and cancer-fighting properties. Shiitake mushrooms contain an active compound called lentinan, a polysaccharide that has been studied for its ability to strengthen the immune system. It also has an impact on the normal modulation of viral infections, inflammation, tumor growth, and progression as well as blood pressure by enhancing the normal production of Natural Killer Cells. Enhancing the function of Natural Killer cells is key to fighting cancer.
If you haven’t tried shiitake mushrooms yet in a soup – make this recipe and you’ll love it!
Ingredients
1 tbsp grapeseed or sesame oil
1 jalapeño pepper, minced with seeds
1 tbsp minced or grated ginger
1 tbsp minced garlic
2 bunches scallions, green and white parts sliced, 2 tbsp greens reserved
1 lb shiitakes, stems removed and tops 1/4-in sliced
2 1/2 quarts vegetable broth
2 tbsp naturally brewed soy sauce (gluten-free soy sauce or tamari are good choices)
Juice and zest of 2 lemons or 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1 block firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
2 cups shredded carrots
Freshly cracked black pepper
Preparation
Add oil and swirl to coat the bottom of a stockpot with high heat
Add jalapeño chili pepper, ginger root, garlic, and scallions. Sauté about a minute.
Add shiitake mushrooms and sauté 2 minutes, until softened.
Add stock and soy sauce, bring to a simmer
Reduce by 20%, about 5 minutes.
Add lemon juice or rice wine vinegar, tofu and carrots and cook gently for 2 more minutes to heat tofu through. Season with black pepper.
Divide into four servings
Garnish with chopped scallion greens and lemon zest.
Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Sugar-free, Dairy-free
Serves 4
Variations:
Cooked cubed chicken breast may be substituted for tofu
Cooked medium shrimp may be substituted for tofu
Add 1 -2 cups of baby spinach or bok choy leaves to the broth to soften for 1 minute before serving. The leaves should remain bright green
Add cooked soba noodles to each bowl before serving
Add 4 slices of Astragalus root or 1 teaspoon Astragalus Root extract to the broth, another traditional Chinese herbal medicine used in tonifying soups to strengthen vitality and immunity and promote the normal production of white blood cells.
This recipe is adapted from Chef Ming Tsai.
