UDON NOODLE SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Prepare noodles according to package directions, and drain. Toss with a teaspoon of sesame, olive, vegetable or canola oil to prevent them from sticking together, and set aside.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil until it shimmers, and sauté the grated ginger and garlic until you smell it (less than a minute). Do your best not to burn it. Add 2 cups of stock to the pot. Be careful – it might splatter.
• Bring the stock to a boil, and lower the heat to a simmer (about medium-low). Add carrots (or any hard, root vegetables, if using), and cook until they are crisp-tender, about 1 to 2 minutes. Add tofu or any vegetables (except spinach), and cook until tender but still bright in color, about 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat, and cover to keep warm.
• In a small pot, heat the remaining 1 cup of stock until it steams. Remove from the heat, and whisk in the miso paste until the miso is completely dissolved, then pour the entire miso mixture into the pot with the soup. (If using soy sauce instead of miso, skip this part and add the rest of the stock and soy sauce.) Stir in the cooked noodles and fresh spinach, if using, and heat through over medium-low, if necessary. Do not bring the soup to a boil with the miso: Some cooks believe this can ruin the miso's delicate flavor. Top as desired and season additionally, if desired, with soy sauce.

Steps:

• Slice the chicken breasts into strips about 1cm wide and the full length of the breast. Briefly marinate the chicken in the sake and leave to one side for a few mins.
• Mix the ginger with the whites of the spring onions, soy sauce, sesame oil and garlic.
• Put 2 litres of water in a saucepan and bring to the boil. Pour in the ginger soy mixture, reduce the heat and cook just below a simmer for 5 mins.
• Add the chicken and sake mix, noodles and chillies to the stock and turn the heat up. As soon as the broth comes to the boil, turn off the heat. Slowly pour the egg into the broth, stirring all the time. Add the green parts of the spring onions and stir through. Leave to sit for 2 mins.
• Ladle the soup evenly into six bowls. Sprinkle with the toasted sesame seeds and coriander, with a few seaweed flakes, if you like.