Recipe for Healthy People 2020: Miso Soup

For the USofA, today is Election Day...but for me, it's THAT and my hubby's bday!  After multiple trips to the polling station (less crowded at 6:15 PM vs 6:15 AM --> totally missed the memo on that), we had adequately repped red, white, and blue and decided that for dinner, we would pay homage to his love of Japanese food.  We made our classic shiitake miso soup in the Vitamix - a very straightforward, healthy, and light recipe when you want to spend minimal time in the kitchen and maximum time planted in front of the TV rooting for your favorite candidate.  Don't worry, I'm not going to jip hubby.  Tomorrow I (not WE) am making his favorite dinner and dessert...shh, it's a surprise!

Ingredients*
4 heaping tablespoons miso paste
1 thumb ginger, finely diced or use Microplane
4 1/2 cups water
3 spring onions, chopped
1 package shiitake mushrooms
1 bunch bok choy, stems removed and sliced length-wise
4 ounces rice noodles
1 tablespoon tamari
cilantro, chopped, to taste

*We have also added cod in the past, which we marinate, cook in a separate pan, and add in just before removing pot from stove.

Procedure
Place the miso, ginger, and water into the Vitamix container and secure lid.  Select variable 3.  Turn the machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 10, then to High.  Blend for 30 seconds.

Transfer the mixture to a pot and add all other ingredients except cilantro.  Simmer over medium heat until noodles are tender.

Garnish with cilantro and serve immediately.  IMPORTANT: add a few drops of Sriracha, mix well, and enjoy while piping hot (you know what I mean by that...don't make me throw around McDonald's-style disclaimers here, people!).