* Exported from MasterCook * Vegetarian Miso Udon (Japan) BBC* Recipe By : BBC Vegetarian : "Japan Easy" (April 1998) Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:45 Categories : Soups *Current Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method -------- ------------ -------------------------------- ---VEGETARIAN DASHI--- 6 dried shiitake mushrooms -- soaked in 1 quart water 2 tablespoons saki or dry white wine 2 tablespoons mirin 2 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar ---NOODLES--- 12 ounces udon noodles -- or one package 1 tablespoon chili sauce -- see options 2 teaspoons sugar 2 tablespoons miso paste ---VEGETABLES--- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 tablespoons shredded pickled ginger 2 garlic cloves -- crushed 8 ounces pak-choi cabbage -- roughly torn 2 carrots -- cut into long fine matchsticks 4 spring onions -- trimmed and finely sliced on the diagonal 1 red chili peppers -- finely sliced on the diagonal 1/4 pound bean sprouts; fresh 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds -- toasted 1/2 ounce fresh coriander leaves 1. To make the dashi, put the mushrooms in a large pan with 1 quart cold water. Cover with a small plate that will fit into the pan to keep the mushrooms submerged. Leave to stand for 3 hours or overnight in the refrigerator. 2. Remove the plate and bring the stock slowly to the boil. Stir in the remaining dashi ingredients and bring to the boil. Boil for 2 minutes. Strain through a sieve and keep warm. (Reserve the shiitake mushrooms -- these can be roughly chopped and added to either the soup or one of the salads.) 3. Meanwhile, cook the udon noodles according to the package instructions. Add the chilli sauce, sugar and miso paste to the dashi and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally. Simmer for 5 minutes. 4. Meanwhile, heat the vegetable oil in a wok until smoking hot. Add the pickled ginger and fry for a few seconds until crispy. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Discard the oil. Add the sesame oil to the wok and stir-fry the garlic, pak choi and carrots for 3 minutes over a high heat. 5. Divide the noodles among four individual serving bowls. Add the stir-fried vegetables to the dashi and pour over the noodles. Sprinkle over the spring onions, chilli, bean sprouts, toasted sesame seeds, coriander and the deep-fried ginger to garnish. Serve immediately. [Per Serving: 544 calories, Fiber 6g, Carbs 91g, Fat 15g, Saturated fat 2g, Protein 16g, added sugar 3g, salt 0 77g. ] PANTRY: MIRIN is a very sweet rice wine. MISO PASTE is fermented soy bean and either barley or rice puree that is savory in smell and taste; you could substitute fermented black bean paste for a milder flavor. UDON NOODLES are thick, white, soft wheat noodles; you could substitute SOBA or RAMEN. PAK-CHOI cabbage is also called BOK CHOY; Chinese or Napa cabbage may be substituted. RECIPES: *CHILI SAUCE may be purchased. Look for a sweet-sour red sauce that can contain dried chili peppers, vinegar, oil, garlic, ginger, onion, and tomato ketchup simmered a few minutes to blend. See the recipe: Asian Chili Pepper Sauce (BBC). *PICKLED GINGER is sold in jars; or see: Japanese Pickled Ginger (Wise) [The Kitchen Path http://home.earthlink.net/~kitpath 08/23/98(Sun)] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - NOTES : DASHI is traditionally a fish stock seasoned with kombu seaweed. It is the basis for Miso Udon. This vegetarian variation starts by soaking dried shiitake for 3 hours or overnight. The broth is then heated and strained and used as the soup base. Specialty foods are discussed in the PANTRY section, below. Serves 4. Time: 30 minutes, plus time to soak the mushrooms. *Recipe from" Japan-easy," BBC Vegetarian Good Food Magazine, April 1998.