Low-Calorie • Vegetarian

Active30 min

Total 4½ hrs (high)/ 7½ hrs (low)

Shiitake & Noodle Hot & Sour Soup

Dried mushrooms rehydrate as you slow-cook this classic Chinese soup, giving the broth deep umami flavor. With the addition of cooked noodles at the end, it’s a satisfying vegetarian meal.

Equipment: 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker

• 24 dried shiitake or black Chinese mushrooms (2-3 ounces)
• 2 carrots, cut into ½-by-2-inch sticks
• 2 8-ounce cans bamboo shoots, rinsed
• 2 14-ounce packages extra-firm water-packed tofu, drained and cut into ½-inch pieces
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 4 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
• 4⅓ cups water, divided
• 4 cups mushroom or vegetable broth
• ¼ cup white vinegar or rice vinegar
• ¼ cup red-wine vinegar
• ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon chile-garlic sauce, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 3 cups cooked lo mein noodles (about 6 ounces dry)
• 1 cup sliced scallions

1. Discard mushroom stems and cut the caps into ½-inch pieces. Spread the mushroom pieces in a 6-quart (or larger) slow cooker. Add carrots, bamboo shoots and tofu to slow cooker; sprinkle with white pepper. Top with cabbage.

2. Combine 4 cups water, broth, white (or rice) vinegar, red-wine vinegar, soy sauce, chile-garlic sauce and ginger in a bowl; add to the slow cooker.

3. Cover and cook for 4 hours on High or 7 to 8 hours on Low.

4. Whisk the remaining ⅓ cup water, cornstarch and sesame oil in a bowl. Stir into the soup. If using the Low setting, turn to High. Cover and cook for 20 minutes. Stir in noodles, cover and cook for 10 minutes more. Serve topped with scallions and with more soy sauce and chile-garlic sauce, if desired.

►► Prep ahead: Prep mushrooms and vegetables; combine the liquids and ginger used in Step 2. Refrigerate separately for up to 1 day.

Serves 8: about 2 cups each

Calories 239 | Fat 7g (sat 1g) | Cholesterol 0mg | Carbs 32g | Total sugars 3g (added 0g) | Protein 14g | Fiber 4g | Sodium 683mg | Potassium 431mg.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (54% daily value) | Calcium (32% dv) | Vitamin C (28% dv) .