This Chinese-inspired soup's vibrant scents will hook you from the first bite. The combination of umami-rich soy sauce, sweet maple syrup, bright brown rice vinegar, and tart lemon juice creates a taste fusion that is the ideal accompaniment to a variety of earthy vegetables. The key component? some Sichuan pepper, a couple pinches. This unusual ingredient, renowned for its peculiar yet delightful mouth-numbing effect, contributes more of a sensation than a flavour to the dish. Sichuan pepper is claimed to make your mouth and tongue feel a little tingly, which is said to accentuate the other flavours of the cuisine, but you will undoubtedly notice some added heat. If pepper isn't your thing, feel free to omit it from this special culinary wonder!
Serving Size: make 8 cups
Prep time: 30 mins
Cook time: 30 mins
Ingredients:
1 cup shiitake mushrooms
1 cup carrots
1 red bell pepper
1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
6 cloves garlic
1 cup baby bok choy, chopped
1/4 cup pure maple syrup
3 tbsp brown rice vinegar
2 tbsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tbsp arrowroot powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
Direction:
1- Heat a large nonstick skillet over high. Add mushrooms, carrots, bell papper, ginger root and garlic; cook for 5 minutes or until lightly cooked, stirring frequently and adding water, 1 to 2 tablespoons at a time, as needed to prevent sticking.
2- Stir in bok choy and a pinch of Sichuan pepper flakes (if using). Cook and stir about 2 minutes more or until bok choy starts to turn bright green. Add 7 cups water. Bring to boiling.
3- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together a pinch of Sichuan pepper flakes (if using) and the maple syrup, brown rice vinegar, soy sauce, arrowroot powder and lemon juice. Stir mixture into soup. Return to boiling; turn off heat. If desired, sprinkle with cilantro and additional Sichuan pepper flakes.
Look for the FIBRE!
We only eat 10-18grams/day of fibre in a western diet.
Health starts at >40grams/day. Increase your daily intake slowly and make sure to drink 8 cups of water a day.
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