Ingredients

  • 5 cps. filtered or spring water
  • 2 cps. sliced vegetables: leeks, carrots, dried shiitake mushrooms, kale (any veggies you like)
  • 1/2 tsp. wakame flakes
  • 1/2 cp. tofu cut into cubes
  • 4 tsp. miso paste
  • 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. fresh grated ginger
  • parsley or scallions for garnish

 

Directions

  1. Cover 2 dried shiitake mushrooms with water for about 30 minutes.
  2. Rehydrate wakame flakes in room temperature water for 3-4 minutes.
  3. Slice shiitake, discarding stems (they are not edible).
  4. Cut the tofu into small cubes.
  5. Bring water to a boil and add vegetables.   
  6. Cover and simmer 5-7 minutes until vegetables are tender. Then add the ginger.
  7. Put the miso in a cup and stir in some of the hot soup stock to thin the miso. Add to the soup and simmer gently (do not boil) for 3 more minutes.
  8. Stir in scallions and parsley and turn off heat.

 

NOTE

  • Many popular cookbooks and websites feature miso soup with up to 10x the amount of miso that is recommended for good health. The general rule is 1/2 to one tsp. miso per cup of liquid in soup. This very healing food will work against you if you use too much.
  • Miso is a salty food and if you use the right amount it should not taste salty. Best not to add salt or bouillon to miso soup. 
  • Restaurant miso soup is usually too salty.

 

Benefits and therapeutic properties of Miso

  • Contains amino acid patterns similar to meat with a trace of B12, minerals (including calcium, iron) and is high in protein. 
  • Helps protect the body against radiation and heavy metal poisoning.
  • Reduces the risk of coronary heart disease; protects cells from free radicals and aging. 
  • The lactobacillus fermentation increases the quantity, availability, digestibility and assimilability of nutrients.
  • Effective in reducing chronic pain. 
  • Breaks down and discharges cholesterol,
  • Neutralizes the effects of smoking and environmental pollution. 
  • Alkalizes the blood and strengthens blood quality.
  • Studies show that those who regularly eat miso suffer significantly less from cancer and heart disease. 
  • Increases resistance to disease and promotes longevity.

 

Benefits and therapeutic properties of Wakame and other Seaweed

  • Seaweeds are sea plants that contain 10-20x the minerals of land plants and an abundance of vitamins and other elements necessary for metabolism.  
  • Remove radioactive and toxic metal wastes from the body 
  • Soften hardened areas and masses in the body
  • Detoxifies, transforms phlegm; lymphatic cleanser
  • Removes residues of radiation in the body
  • Lowers cholesterol and fat in the blood
  • Beneficial effect on the thyroid. Improves metabolism
  • Useful in the treatment of nodules, lumps, swollen lymph glands, edema, chronic coughs with phlegm, skin diseases and tumors.  
  • Useful in the treatment of cancer and fibroids

 

  • My favorite brand of miso is South River. Can be purchased from their website and at some health food stores.
  • High quality seaweed can be purchased online at Natural Import Company.

 

To learn more about miso and seaweed and their benefits, read my blog post  Salt – Friend or Foe