Mmmm, mmm, I’ve been craving this soup ever since I happily stumbled upon it at Sweet Tomatoes one lucky day. It’s a delicious, mild little ginger broth, with a boatload of things to sprinkle in it. And every time I visit Sweet Tomatoes now, I run to the soup bar to see if it’s one of the featured soups again. And it NEVER is. Pfffft.
That’s okay, now I can make it myself. This little recipe is purported to be the exact brew that the restaurant whips up, and it seemed pretty darn close to me.
Asian Ginger Broth
4 TB finely minced ginger
3 TB finely minced garlic
2 TB canola oil
Combine ingredients in a pot and saute for 5 minutes
6 TB corn starch
2 cups cold water
Combine ingredients and whisk to dissolve
14 cups water
6 TB Vegetarian base (*the restaurant uses Custom brand vegetarian base powder. I couldn’t find it anywhere so I used 4 big vegetable bouillon cubes.)
Corn starch mixture
Add ingredients to pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Serve with a plethora of fun add-ins that everyone can choose from and sprinkle in their bowls. We used sliced green onions, shredded carrots, chopping spinach leaves, sliced mushrooms, cubed tofu, and soft wheat noodles. Oh, and I wanted those crunchy wonton strips, but couldn’t find them in the grocery store. Next time!
We have the leftovers in the fridge and I can’t wait to have it again.
PS: Has anyone ever found vegetarian base powder? Where do you get it?
Posts
Thanks for the recipe!
ReplyDeleteVBP is available on amazon - with free shipping. Also at Sprouts(poulty & beef).
I have the same issue with a salad we used to buy at a deli by our first apartment. I adored it and have never found it again.
ReplyDeleteOoh, sounds like Pho (LOVE!). I get my dry "vegetarian bouillon mix" in a 1# container at either Ranch 99 or Marina Asian Market. Its "Harvest" brand and it has no MSG and makes 129 cups. Its wonderful and very concentrated!
ReplyDeleteExcuse my idiocy...do you cook the tofu and veggies before you sprinkle them on your soup? Looks delish and I think I'll have to make it for dinner tomorrow. Tonight is a family favorite...breakfast for dinner. Omlettes, veggie bacon and banana pancakes. Mmmmm
ReplyDeletecouldn't you substitute veggie stock for the water/VBP?
ReplyDeleteThanks, guys!
ReplyDeleteKK: I heated the tofu up in hot water on the stove first (just popped the cubes in water, then brought it to a boil) -- and that's not a dumb question if you ask me! While making this soup I googled "Is vegetarian base the same thing as vegetable bouillon?" and "What can I substitute for vegetarian base?" and "does tofu need to be cooked?" And probably a few other things that I don't even remember. Heh. All the veggies were raw, but if you prefer them softer you could give them a quick steam first. We kind of liked the texture.
Jenny, I think you totally could!
I just pinned you! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe broth looks great ... and what a fun way to customize for the picky eater in my house! :-0
Oh! I loved that soup too! Since we moved, we're too far away from Sweet Tomatoes so I sadly wrote off any chance of ever eating it again. Thanks for the recipe! I'm gonna give it a try this weekend!
ReplyDeleteDonna
It doesn't look like very much food. Aren't you hungry after the soup?
ReplyDeleteNot sure if it's the same thing but you could try Penzey's Vegetable Soup Base. It's a paste you mix with water to make broth. Here's a link http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyssoupbase.html
ReplyDeleteMichelle, let me know if you try it. We just had the leftovers for dinner tonight (the girls and I, TubaDad's on a plane) and it was just as good the second day.
ReplyDeleteAnon, definitely not hungry, but I ate three bowls, heh heh. Not too bad considering that I sucked down four bowls when I found this stuff at Sweet Tomatoes. The girls loaded up the soup with tofu (you could also use chicken) and noodles, so it was pretty dense. Ro and Ree also had a side of steamed rice with seaweed sprinkles.
Better than Boullion makes a vegetable base. http://www.superiortouch.com/retail/products/better-than-bouillon/premium-bases/36/vegetable-base I've seen it in my grocery store. I haven't tried it, but I have tried the ham base, and it's very good.
ReplyDeleteDo you know Tom Yum (Thai soup)? You'd love it!
ReplyDeletePat from New Zealand
Do you have to cook the noodles first?
ReplyDeleteHi Shannon, yes I cooked the noodles first.
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious!
ReplyDeleteLooks delish and I could go for a nice hot bowl right now.
ReplyDelete