| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 25 mins – 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 80 | 0.4g | 0.1g | 17g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 9g | 2g | 2g | 1.2g |
Why I Love Vietnamese Vegan Straw Mushroom Soup
Soup is one of those universal dishes that find a place in almost every cuisine across the world. There’s something incredibly comforting about a hot bowl of soup, and my latest love is the Vietnamese Vegan Straw Mushroom Soup. It’s the culinary embodiment of my love for wholesome food – simple yet packed full of flavor, heart-warming, and undeniably healthy.
From Midwestern Comfort to Vietnamese Freshness
While my Midwestern roots keep me grounded in comfort foods, my culinary curiosity has led me towards exploring global flavors, in particular, the vibrant, fresh cuisine of Southeast Asia. This Vegan Straw Mushroom Soup recipe, for instance, was heavily inspired by renowned Vietnamese chef Chef Andrew Le. His magic with Vietnamese cuisine, an artform that beautifully marries fresh produce and exquisite flavors, is awe-inspiring to me.
A Taste of Farm-to-Table Freshness
One of the primary reasons why I am absolutely smitten with this soup is its embodiment of ‘farm-to-table’ freshness. Every ingredient in this recipe lends itself to creating a soup that’s as flavorful as it is beneficial. Mushrooms and bamboo shoots add a subtle earthiness, while the lemongrass and kaffir lime leaves introduce a zesty note. Carrots provide a hint of sweetness, and the spicy kick from the red pepper flakes rounds everything off perfectly.
Moreover, this soup mirrors what heartland cooking is all about: making the most of what you have and letting fresh, high-quality ingredients shine.
A Versatile and Accommodating Dish
This Vegan Straw Mushroom Soup is a standalone delight, but it also works well with a variety of dishes. It pairs excellently with fresh spring rolls or a Vietnamese stir-fry for a fuller meal. In essence, it’s as flexible as it is delicious.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. It is also extremely accommodating to dietary needs. Those following a gluten-free diet can switch to tamari in place of soy sauce, and the addition of sugar is optional.
In my humble opinion, there’s a lot more to this soup than meets the eye. It might seem like a simple, healthy choice, but the intricate dance of flavors in every mouthful will make you go for seconds in no time!
What You’ll Need
- 6 cups of vegetable broth
- 1 cup of straw mushrooms, drained and sliced
- 1 cup of bamboo shoots, drained and sliced
- 2 medium carrots, finely sliced
- 2 stalks of lemongrass, finely chopped
- 4 kaffir lime leaves
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of soy sauce (or tamari if gluten-free)
- 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes (optional)
- 2 tablespoons of fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 green onions, chopped (for garnish)
- 2 limes, cut into wedges (for serving)
Method
Step One
Begin by gathering all your ingredients. Ensure that the straw mushrooms and bamboo shoots are drained and sliced, the carrots are finely sliced, the lemongrass is finely chopped, and the onion and garlic are ready to go.
Step Two
Pour the vegetable broth into a large pot and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer.
Step Three
Add the straw mushrooms, bamboo shoots, carrots, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, onion, and minced garlic to the pot. Stir well to combine everything.
Step Four
Next, add the soy sauce or tamari, rice vinegar, sugar if using, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if you want a bit of a kick. Stir well.
Step Five
Let the soup simmer for about 20-25 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
Step Six
Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, remove the soup from heat.
Step Seven
Pour the soup into individual bowls, garnish with fresh chopped cilantro and green onions.
Step Eight
Serve hot with lime wedges on the side for each person to add as much or as little as they like.
Step Nine
Enjoy your delicious, warming, and hearty Vegan Straw Mushroom Soup!
