My absolute favourite thing about working in Japan in my 20’s was the food. I arrived in Tokyo a vegetarian, and left a sushi loving meat eater.
I created this chicken and shimeji mushroom soup in homage to those months living in a teeny apartment on the 11th floor, above a 7-Eleven that sold hard boiled eggs in plastic cartons and bags of white sliced ‘bread’ that was more reminiscent of flat square of Victoria sponge.
One of the great gastro finds of living there for a few months was Miso. I remember spending an afternoon in a gigantic bookshop in Yokohama looking for a book written in English, that wasn’t a guide book. All I could find were two little paperbacks, one being all about Tofu and the other Miso. The only thing I remember from the latter was that you must never, ever boil miso, and that’s one thing more than I remember from the former.
However, I do know that miso makes a fantastic stock or soup, the aroma is unique and able to transport me back to my twenties in a whiff. Apparently it falls into the umami group of flavours too, along with other perfect foods such as bacon and anchovies. Need to know more about umami? Check out the Umami Girl blog, she’s got it down.
PS It is the stalks of the red & orange Swiss chard I used that made the broth such a pretty pink colour, but feel free to use spinach, nettles or any other green leafy veg in place of the chard.
- 1/2 litre water or chicken stock
- 1 handful cooked chicken
- 3 or 4 leaves Swiss chard stalks and leaves chopped
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 spring onions
- 1/2 a mild chilli pepper finely sliced
- 1 handful white shimeji mushrooms stalks removed from the woody base
- 1 tablespoon of a light miso darker ones tend to be stronger and saltier so use less a little less if that's what you have
- Bring the water or stock to the boil then turn the heat down.
- Add the cooked chicken, swiss chard and garlic and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add in the spring onions, chilli pepper and mushrooms and cook for a further 30 seconds.
- Take off the heat and stir through the miso paste.
Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says
Nice soup love the bowls.Nicely clicked.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Nayna :)
Janie x
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
Love the colours but more importantly love the idea of this soup.
Jane Sarchet says
Cheers Bintu!
Janie x
Heidi Roberts says
That soup looks really tasty and filling whilst being really healthy too, perfect!!
Jane Sarchet says
:)
Sylvia says
Oh I’m soooo hungry now! Love your bowls Janie! xx
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Sylvia, I don have rather a lot of crockery :)
Janie x
Tina @ The Spicy Pear says
What a gorgeous looking bowl of soup. Shimeji mushrooms are delicious and work well with the delicate flavours in this dish.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Tina :)
Janie x
Janice Pattie (@FarmersgirlCook) says
How fresh and lovely. We used to buy miso from the wholefood shop in the late 1970s and make a miso and cabbage soup. Amazing how things come round again, but I suspect miso never went away.
Jane Sarchet says
I’m sure it didn’t in Japan, but over here things do tend to come in and out of favour!
Janie x
Glamorous Glutton says
Great soup, I absolutely love miso and often drink it as a snack. How fab to have spent time in Japan. I’ve only been once when I went to Osaka on business. I thought it was amazing. GG
Jane Sarchet says
It sure is an interesting country GG, lots of crazy stuff, but lots of very cool (and tasty) stuff too!
Janie x
Karen says
SO fresh and zingy Janie and I remember miso from my days in the Far East, and have always been a fan of it! This soup looks amazing, so tasty and yet healthy. Karen
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Karen :)
Janie x
Sarah, Maison Cupcake says
That looks very zen! Lovely styling in the picture.
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Sarah, I was definitely in the zone with this one :)
Janie x
Choclette says
Haha, so it was Japan that turned you ;-) CT had a brief 2 week work trip there a couple of years ago and came back very enthused. Love all your photos, the bowls are lovely.
Jane Sarchet says
Yes, blame Japan. SUCH good food over there :)
Janie x
London Unattached Lifestyle Food and Travel says
Lovely, simple and delicious. I shall mess around and do my own version of something like this soon
Jane Sarchet says
Enjoy Fiona :)
Janie x
ManjiriK says
Superb looking soup Janie , I love mushrooms of any sort , do you know at one point I was allergic to them and thank heavens not anymore! You were a vegetarian?! You must write more abt ur days in Tokyo girl !
Jane Sarchet says
You had an allergy that then disappeared? Amazing! Here’s hoping my intolerance to lactose will one day do one too :)
Janie x
Louisa Foti says
Beautifully clear stunning photos Janie! The soup sounds utterly delish, must experiment with miso more. Must, must, must!
Jane Sarchet says
Thank you Louisa, I think with colours in the soup would make it a dream for anyone to photograph!
Janie x
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
I am very envious that you have lived in Japan Janie, I really really want to go and visit.
Lovely soup and recipe. I am such a fan of Japanese ingredients and flavours.
Jane Sarchet says
It is a really interesting country Helen, and the food is the best bit :)
Janie x
Morgan @ Peaches, Please! says
yep. you’re right. Bacon is a perfect food.
Jane Sarchet says
:)
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Karen :)
Janie x
Madeleine Morrow says
Lovely looking soup which I will definitely be making, I always have miso in the store cupboard and often make a bowl of soup with it when it is late and cold and I have not cooked anything for myself, usually on nights when my hungry men have had red meat which I try not to eat.
Jane Sarchet says
It sure is a handy one to keep in the fridge and it lasts for months.
Janie x