Shitake (shee TAK ee) Miso (MEE so) Soup

Start with this simple delicious soup when you need a quick snack or when you want to use this as the foundation for a more intricate soup.

Ingredients:

• Chicken broth (or vegetable broth)--I use Whole Foods Market chicken broth
• Shitake mushrooms--these can be whole or chopped; I use a double handful
• Miso paste--from either brown rice or soy beans

Preparation:

• Pan-sear the mushrooms in a bit of olive oil; high heat for short time; turn off the heat and let them sit
• Warm the 32 ounces of broth; don't let it boil
• Mix 4 ounces of miso paste into about 4-8 ounces of broth or water (get the chunks out and make it smooth); then stir this into the larger pot of broth
• Once you've combined the seared mushrooms and miso paste into the warm broth, you are read to eat, enjoy, and get healthier!

Serving Recommendations:

• Eat it as shown and described
• Feel free to add cubed tofu, chives, green onion, garlic, ginger, or collard greens--the simple soup described above can stand alone or serve as the base for a more extensive soup

Health Benefits of This Meal:

• Chicken soup has--in scientific research--be shown to improve clinical outcomes in people with respiratory infections
• Shitake mushrooms are famous for their immune-stimulating and anti-cancer benefits
• Miso paste is rich in enzymes; miso made from soy beans carries the anticancer benefits of soy (modulation of estrogen metabolism; tyrosine kinase inhibition)