Miso Noodle Soup

Recipe created by Frances Boswell
Miso, chard, and buckwheat noodles stand in for bouillon, peas, and pasta in this twist on classic chicken noodle soup. Leeks and scallions add cancer-fighting phytochemicals to the magnesium- and folate-rich brew.
This recipe is part of our superfoods menu .
Note: Since miso and edamame have a lot of protein, the chicken can be omitted and this will be a nutritious vegetarian soup. The saltiness of miso varies per brand; choose a high-quality product to keep salt to a minimum.
This recipe is part of our superfoods menu .
Note: Since miso and edamame have a lot of protein, the chicken can be omitted and this will be a nutritious vegetarian soup. The saltiness of miso varies per brand; choose a high-quality product to keep salt to a minimum.
Servings: Serves 6–8 (makes about 4 quarts)
Ingredients
Directions
Set a large pot over medium-low heat. Add oil and heat for 1 minute. Add leeks and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, while preparing chard. Remove stalks and ribs from chard; set leaves aside. Coarsely chop stalks and ribs, and add to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 8 to 10 minutes.
Add 2 1/2 quarts water to pot. Increase heat, and bring to a boil. Add carrots, then reduce heat to simmer. Continue simmering until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes more. Meanwhile, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add buckwheat noodles, and cook until tender, about 3 minutes (do not cook in soup pot because they will soak up too much broth). Drain with a colander and run under cold water; set aside.
Coarsely chop reserved chard leaves, and add to soup along with edamame. Cook until just wilted, then quickly increase heat and bring liquid to a boil. Remove 1 cup boiling liquid, and swirl into a bowl with miso; set aside.
Add shredded chicken (if using) to pot; cook to heat through, about 2 minutes. Add noodles, and whisk miso mixture into soup. Serve immediately: Divide soup among bowls, and garnish with scallions.
Add 2 1/2 quarts water to pot. Increase heat, and bring to a boil. Add carrots, then reduce heat to simmer. Continue simmering until carrots are tender, about 10 minutes more. Meanwhile, bring a separate pot of water to a boil. Add buckwheat noodles, and cook until tender, about 3 minutes (do not cook in soup pot because they will soak up too much broth). Drain with a colander and run under cold water; set aside.
Coarsely chop reserved chard leaves, and add to soup along with edamame. Cook until just wilted, then quickly increase heat and bring liquid to a boil. Remove 1 cup boiling liquid, and swirl into a bowl with miso; set aside.
Add shredded chicken (if using) to pot; cook to heat through, about 2 minutes. Add noodles, and whisk miso mixture into soup. Serve immediately: Divide soup among bowls, and garnish with scallions.