Soups (not Bean Based) Miso Vegetable Soup

Spice pattern: Oriental (the miso is the spice pattern) This is a good simple, warming and easy to digest soup that can be made from scratch in about a half an hour. The miso tastes best if you add just enough to make the soup rich tasting without getting very salty. 

• 1-2 tbsp peanut or sesame oil
• 1 med onion finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery finely chopped
• 1 carrot grated
• wakame, soaked and chopped (optional)
• (about 1/8 c total)
• ¼ tsp black pepper (optional)4 c water
• miso - about 1-2 tsp per serving bowl
• chopped scallions for garnish

Description- 

Saute the onions, celery and carrots in the oil over a low flame for 5-10 minutes or until they are soft. Add the water and wakame, bring to a boil, cover and simmer about 15 minutes. For best taste, the miso is added at the time of  serving in each individual bowl. To do this, take 1- 2 tsp of miso in a bowl, add a little bit of the broth and stir the miso to thin it to sauce texture. Add the serving amount to the bowl, stir and check the seasoning. If you need more miso it can be added in small amounts and mashed on the side of the bowl. Garnish with a sprinkling of chopped scallions and serve. 

Variation: This soup is also nice with small cubes of firm tofu added to the broth. 

More Information- Vegetarian Thanksgiving