| Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 275 | 6g | 1g | 46g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 15g | 7g | 13g | 1.02g |
As a Cuban-Spanish American living in the heart of Miami, I find a deep-rooted sense of satisfaction from a good bowl of hearty soup. Not the soupy stews of my Iberian ancestry or the vibrant Caribbean broths from my Cuban relatives, but a soul-stirring, health-boosting combination of East meets West – the Royal Fern and Miso Soup. I’ve been exploring this golden fusion over summer, and I can’t wait to share this revolutionary delight with you all.
Ingredient Fusion
Let’s first talk about fusion. Dried royal fern and seaweed (not an ingredient we use often in our Spanish-Caribbean cuisines, I assure you) combine with classic miso paste to create a soup base that is not only flavorful but also stacked with health benefits. The delicately cubed tofu adds protein to the dish while the sweet wine, mirin, gives it that perfect balance of sweetness that will leave your tastebuds quite intrigued. And yes, you read it correctly, throw in a bounty of fresh fruit – it’s a surprisingly refreshing addition that just works.
Miso Soup and Beyond
This Royal Fern and Miso Soup recipe might remind you of a classic Japanese Miso soup but believe me, it’s a dimension apart. The royal fern adds a textural contrast that regular miso soup doesn’t have, and the unconventional addition of mixed fresh fruit truly gives a unique twist, making it a fun dish to experiment with.
Further to this, this exquisite fusion of flavours works terrifically well with a variety of dishes. The comfort of the miso and tangy fruits pairs beautifully with a simple [grilled fish](https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/grilled-fish-with-citrus) or [steaming jasmine rice](https://cookieandkate.com/perfect-jasmine-rice-recipe/), offering a fulfilling yet light meal that will leave you buzzing with energy.
A Healthy Hint
It’s not just about taste. Miso is rich in essential minerals and a good source of various B vitamins, vitamins E, K and folic acid. As a fermented food, miso aids in gut health too – and we all love a good gut-healthy dish, don’t we? On the other hand, ferns have been linked with improved digestion, a boost in immune health, and help in reducing inflammation. Even better—the high water content, low calorie count, and filling nature of the soup make it perfect for those mindful of their food intake.
So, there you have it, my friends. A taste bud tingling, health-boosting bowl of pure bliss – the Royal Fern and Miso Soup. Your key to a delightful culinary journey that bridges the gap between continents and cultures—one that I’m sure you’ll embark on, again and again. Happy cooking!
What You’ll Need
- 6 cups water
- 1/2 cup dried royal fern, soaked and drained
- 2 sheets of dried seaweed (kombu), about 30g
- 3 tablespoons white miso paste
- 1 tablespoon red miso paste
- 1/2 cup firm tofu, cubed into small pieces
- 1 cup of mixed fresh fruit (apples, pears, strawberries, etc.)
- 4 green onion stalks, thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons mirin (sweet rice wine)
Method
Step One
Begin with soaking the dried royal fern in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, till it is rehydrated. Drain the water and set the fern aside.
Step Two
Next, take a large pot and pour 6 cups of water into it. Add the 2 sheets of dried seaweed (Kombu) and soaked royal fern to the pot. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat.
Step Three
Once the water starts boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to make sure the ingredients are combining well.
Step Four
After 15 minutes, strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into another pot. Discard the seaweed and fern. The resultant broth should be flavorful, this will act as the soup base for the miso soup.
Step Five
In the soup base pot, stir in the white and red miso pastes until they are dissolved completely. It’s important to stir well to avoid any miso clumps in the soup.
Step Six
Next, add the cubed tofu and mixed fresh fruit to the soup. Let it simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes or until the tofu is warmed through and the fruit has slightly softened.
Step Seven
While the soup is simmering, in a separate pan, stir fry the thinly sliced green onion stalks with soy sauce and sweet rice wine (Mirin) for 2 to 3 minutes.
Step Eight
Finally, add the stir-fried green onions to the soup. Stir well and remove the pot from the heat. Your Royal Fern and Miso Soup is ready to serve! Enjoy this warm, hearty soup with family and friends.
