Tofu/Spinach/Mushroom Soba Noodle Soup

This has been my lunch for the past two days. Soooo good!! I modified this recipe a bit but the original version is from Gourmet Magazine.



Ingredients:
- 7 cups vegetable broth (I used mushroom broth)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1 tsp. sugar
- 1/2 lb dried soba noodles (buckwheat noodles)
- 2 carrots, sliced thin
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, pieces
- 1/2 lb spinach, coarse stems discarded and the leaves washed well, and chopped
-8-10 ounces firm tofu, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
-3-4 tablespoons miso, to taste
- 2 scallions, minced


Directions:
- In a saucepan bring the broth to a boil.
- Stir in the soy sauce and the sugar and simmer the broth for 5 minutes.
- In a pot of salted boiling water cook the noodles for 3 to 5 minutes, or until they are al dente, being careful not to overcook them, drain them in a colander, and rinse them under cold water.
- Add the carrots and mushrooms to the broth and simmer them, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Stir in the spinach and the tofu and simmer the soup for 1 minute.
- In a small bowl stir together well 1/2 cup of the soup broth and the miso and pour the mixture back into the pan.
- Divide the noodles among 3 large bowls, ladle the soup over them, and sprinkle each serving with some of the scallions.

Yields 3 LARGE servings. I modified this for an entree/lunch portion.
For an appetizer/starter, just halve the calories for 6 portions.

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 370
Fat: 7.9 g
Carbohydrates: 56.1 g
- Fiber: 6.6 g
Protein: 24.9 g

Flavorful Soybeans

This was pretty damn delicious and I can see it being a side or an entree with some couscous.



Ingredients:
100g soybeans, soaked overnight
2 cups water
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1 teaspoon chili powder
.5 teaspoon garam masala
2 tablespoons cilantro
salt

Directions:
1. Bring a pot of water (2 cups) to a boil, lower flame, add salt to taste (around 1/4 tsp), and cook the pre-soaked soy beans for about 30 minutes, or until cooked.
2. Drain.
3. While the beans are cooking, heat oil in a saucepan on a medium-high flame and add the mustard powder.
4 When the mix starts to brown, add the chopped onions and sauté until they turn brown.
5 Now add the tomato paste, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and sauté for about 5 minutes.
6 Add the cooked soy beans to the saucepan, mix well and sauté for another 5 minutes.
7 Remove from flame, garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot!

Number of Servings: 3 LARGE servings

Nutritional Information:
Calories: 159
Fat: 11.3 g
Carbohydrates: 11 g
- Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 5.5 g

(Not Really) Aloo Gobi

Le sigh.

I got this recipe from someone who makes an awesome Aloo Gobi. Unfortunately I don't think she was willing to give up that recipe (a non-translated Indian version) and gave me another one she found which...well...didn't quite turn out as expected.

Don't get me wrong. It's certainly edible but it just tastes like potatoes and cauliflower coated in a thick, spicy, pasta sauce. Either way, I am posting the recipe here. Maybe as a warning? :P



Ingredients:
25 oz. tomatoes, diced or pureed (I went for pureed)
1 big cauliflower, cut into chunks
5 potatoes, peeled, cut into cubes
1 lemon
4-5 tablespoons ghee (I went with olive oil)
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon turmeric
2 tablespoon ground coriander
2 tablespoon ground chilli
2 tablespoon garam masala

Directions:
Heat the ghee/oil in frying pan
Add cumin and wait until it starts to brown
Add the rest of the spices (except for the garam masala) and the tomatoes.
When the mixture turns oily, add the vegetables
Roast the cauliflower and the potatoes until they turn soft, stirring occasionally
Add the garam masala and lemon juice

Serves 4.

(New!)Nutritional Info:
Calories: 380
Fat: 12.1 g
Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fiber: 15.7 g
Protein 11g