Tofu Ramen Soup Bowls

Name: Tofu Ramen Soup Bowls
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 serving(s)
Ingredients: 1 onion, unpeeled and quartered; 1 piece fresh ginger, about 2 inches (5 cm), unpeeled and sliced; 2 cloves garlic, unpeeled and halved; 1 star anise; 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil; 8 cups (2 litres) vegetable or chicken broth; 4 cups (1 litre) water; 1 cup (250 ml) strained tomatoes or tomato sauce; 1/4 cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce; 3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce; 3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice; 1 tbsp brown sugar; 1 tsp (5 ml) sambal oelek; 6 oz (170 g) ramen noodles (see note); 3/4 lb (340 g) silken tofu, cubed (see note); 1/2 lb (225 g) baby bok choy, cut into wedges; 1/2 lb (225 g) white mushrooms, thinly sliced

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Preparation 10 MIN

Cooking 20 MIN
Servings 4
Freezes

To intensify this almost-instant ramen, we spiced up the broth with aromatics like ginger, garlic, star anise, fish sauce and tomato sauce (for extra umami). Just be sure to let the silken tofu (or protein of your choice), bok choy, mushrooms and noodles take a bath and come together in the hot liquid before diving in. Your patience will be rewarded.

Ingredients
Preparation

Ingredients

1 onion, unpeeled and quartered
1 piece fresh ginger, about 2 inches (5 cm), unpeeled and sliced
2 cloves garlic, unpeeled and halved
1 star anise
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
8 cups (2 litres) vegetable or chicken broth
4 cups (1 litre) water
1 cup (250 ml) strained tomatoes or tomato sauce
1/4 cup (60 ml) low-sodium soy sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) fish sauce
3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) sambal oelek
6 oz (170 g) ramen noodles (see note)
3/4 lb (340 g) silken tofu, cubed (see note)
1/2 lb (225 g) baby bok choy, cut into wedges
1/2 lb (225 g) white mushrooms, thinly sliced

Preparation

In a large pot over high heat, brown the onion, ginger, garlic and star anise in the oil for 2 minutes.
Add the broth, water, strained tomatoes, soy sauce, fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar and sambal oelek. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small pot of salted boiling water, cook the noodles for 3 minutes or until al dente. Drain.
Place the tofu, bok choy, mushrooms and cooked noodles into large, deep soup bowls.
Strain the hot broth into the bowls and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Note

You can replace the ramen noodles with soba or rice noodles. You can also use raw shrimp, thinly sliced raw meat or leftover roasted chicken instead of tofu.

The broth freezes well.