| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Medium | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 315 | 5g | 1g | 46g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 6g | 7g | 14g | 2g |
If there’s one thing to be said about Montana’s culinary landscape, it’s that we’re not afraid to explore and adapt. Taking a wide detour from customary Bison burgers and venison steaks, today I’m thrilled to be sharing a fruit-based recipe that has bewitched my heart and palate: the Japanese Shiso Soba Noodle Soup.
Fusion That Works
This dish is a beautiful encounter of flavors noble in their simplicity, yet when combined, something truly extraordinary happens. Soba noodles are not only tasty, but they are also packed with protein and fiber. Mixing in the delightful and unique taste of shiso, a herb often used for sushi, adds an extra dimension to this versed recipe.
But then, the twist: the delightful burst of heat, radiating from the optionally added bird’s eye chilies. It’s a zesty jolt that would make any cowboy sit up and take notice, yet also brings comfort, echoing the warmth of a prairie bonfire.
Complementing Flavors and Dishes
The Japanese Shiso Soba Noodle Soup is excellent on its own, but its flavors can easily harmonize with other dishes. I find that pairing it with a light, citrus-based salad or perhaps a tart, yuzu-infused fish dish creates a brilliantly balanced dining experience.
Or, if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, why not try it alongside fry bread, a staple of many Native American cuisines? The soup’s savory, slightly sweet characteristics can provide a beautiful juxtaposition against the bread’s robust, hearty flavor.
A Bow to Health
What I love about this soup isn’t only the engaging, diverse blend of flavor notes, but also the fantastic health benefits associated with its ingredients. The soba noodles provide a source of manganese and thiamin, while the different types of veggies thrown into the mix deliver significant amounts of vitamins A, B, C, and E, not to mention fiber and a host of minerals.
And of course, there’s the shiso leaves, hailed in Japan for their health properties, get this, they’re said to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and allergy-suppressing benefits, among others!
So here’s to the Japanese Shiso Soba Noodle Soup, a far cry from Montana’s prairies, but a delicious, healthful detour that I thoroughly delight in cooking, savoring, and sharing with you.
What You’ll Need
- 8 cups vegetable broth
- 6 Soba Noodles Bundles
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoon mirin
- 4 tablespoons sake
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
- 6 scallions, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh shiso leaves, minced
- 1 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
- 1 small zucchini, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup edamame beans, shelled
- 2 small birds-eye chillies, minced (optional)
- 1 medium radish, minced
- 1/2 cup sliced bamboo shoots
- 6 slices lemon for garnish
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method
Step One
Pour the vegetable broth into a large pot and bring it to a gentle boil.
Step Two
Add the soba noodles to the boiling broth and cook them according to the package instructions until they are al dente.
Step Three
In a separate bowl, mix the soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, minced garlic, and grated ginger together. Stir well until all the sugar has dissolved.
Step Four
Pour this soy sauce mixture into the pot with the noodles and broth. Stir well to combine.
Step Five
Add the thinly sliced scallions, minced shiso leaves, sliced shiitake mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, red bell pepper, and edamame beans into the pot.
Step Six
If you like your soup spicy, you can now add the chopped birds-eye chillies.
Step Seven
Reduce the heat to low and let the soup simmer for about 10 to 15 minutes, allowing all the flavors to blend together.
Step Eight
While the soup is simmering, mince the radish and slice the bamboo shoots.
Step Nine
Add the radish and bamboo shoots to the soup pot. Stir well to combine.
Step Ten
Just before you’re ready to serve the soup, slice the lemon into 6 wedges.
Step Eleven
Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish each with a lemon slice, a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper, and additional sliced scallions if desired.
Your Japanese Shiso Soba Noodle Soup is now ready to serve and enjoy!
