Meals Matter

5 Spice Onion Soup

Contributed By: koshka
http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=recipe&dbid=79

This Asian-flavored onion soup is a great tasting alternative to traditional onion soup. It combines onions with shiitake mushrooms for a delicious and unique flavor experience. Using our Healthy Sauté method of cooking also makes this version healthier as it uses no heated oils. Enjoy!

Ingredients

Broth

1 Medium onion, chopped

1 tbs + 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth

1/2 Inch fresh peeled ginger, sliced

6 Whole cloves

1 Cinnamon stick, about 4 inches long

3 Star anise

1/2 tsp Dried fennel seeds

6 Whole dried medium shiitake mushrooms

1 tbs Soy sauce

1 tbs Blackstrap molasses

Additional Soup Ingredients:

2 Onions, cut in half and sliced thin

6 cloves Garlic, sliced

Salt and white pepper to taste

Preparation

Chop the one onion for the broth. Thinly slice the two onions and garlic, which will later be added to the broth and let them all sit for 5 minutes to bring out their health-promoting properties.

To prepare broth, heat 1 TBS broth in medium soup pot. Healthy Sauté chopped onion over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until translucent. Add the rest of the broth and remaining broth ingredients and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, and simmer broth ingredients briskly together for 20 minutes, uncovered. This will bring out a lot of flavor from the ingredients.

In a separate medium sized stainless steel skillet, heat 1 TBS of soup broth over medium heat. Healthy Sauté sliced onions over medium low heat in broth, stirring often for about 15 minutes, until translucent. Add garlic and sauté for another minute.

After cooking broth for 20 minutes strain while it is still hot and return liquid to pan.

Slice mushrooms (and discard rest of strained ingredients) and return to broth.

Add sautéed onions and garlic and season with salt and white pepper to taste.

Cook's Notes

It's important to slowly sauté the sliced onions for this soup to bring out their sweetness and to tenderize them. Don't rush; if they take a little longer to cook than noted, it is worth it. They will be translucent, tender, and sweet when they are done. The thinner you slice them, the better the result.

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Recipe Details

Total Preparation Time: Less than 15 minutes
Ingredients: Vegetables
Actual Cooking Time: 15 to 30 minutes
Number of Servings: 4
Special Features: Vegetarian
Meal Type: Soups & Stews