Wellness Wednesday – Sesame Miso Soup

by Arielle J on November 2, 2011

Needed something to warm me up during this chilly,
snowy October Sunday, so decided to make miso soup!
There are many versions, but I decided to whip up this
simple one. So easy and so delish.
No one will know it was made on YOUR stove!

Miso Soup all done!!

P.S. Even when it’s not chilly outside, this soup is a
great one to sip up – comforting and cleansing.

Benefits:
Miso- “fermented” soy, rice or barley. Fermented = loaded with amino acids + digestive enzymes = boosts immune system + highly cleansing + great for digestion.
Seaweed- cleanses the lymphatic system and detoxifies the body. Super high in minerals, iron and iodine. Anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol and super cleansing.

SESAME MISO SOUP
Ingredients:
– 4 cups water
– 6 tbsp sweet white miso (i like sweet white, but you can also use yellow miso or red miso)
– 2 tbsp wakame (or arame) seaweed

*Serves 1-2. Double recipe to eat for lunch
the next day. Add more/less miso depending on how thick/tasty
you like it.

Optional Add-ins:
– 1 medium carrots (peeled, sliced) – good for skin and eyes and adds some soupy flavor
– 1 scallions (sliced) – good for blood
– 1/4 tbs toasted sesame oil – adds a nutty sesame flavor
– 1/4 tbs tamari (wheat-free soy sauce) – adds a soy sauce flavor without the wheat
– 1 tsp white sesame seeds – adds some crunch + calsium
– cayenne – revs up metabolism
– dulse flakes – adds more seaweed + naturally salty
1. Bring water to a boil.
2. While water is boiling, soak seaweed in a separate bowl with cold water for approx 5-10 minutes (until the seaweed expands).

Soaking the seaweed…

3. Optional- Simmer and add in carrots. Cook until tender (about 10 minutes). Skip this step if not using carrots!

Simmering and simmering…

4. Drain seaweed, add to pot of water and simmer.

Add in scallions…

5. In a separate bowl, take approx 1/4 cup of the hot water from the pot and mix with miso until the miso dissolves. Mix it, mix it.

Mixing the miso into the hot broth…

Keep on dissolving the miso…

8. Once miso dissolves, add to pot of water and stir.
9. Optional- If using scallions, sesame oil and tamari, add into pot of water. Otherwise, skip this step.
10. Stir it all together, pour into bowl and voila!