soup

Vegan turnip, carrot and bean soup

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This was simply an “I need to use up these vegetables” moment that just happened to work. It’s so easy it’s not even a recipe and I’m no chef, I just chopped some veggies and put them in a pot with water and some spice then hovered impatiently over it then burnt my tongue badly from it.

1 onion, chopped small
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp tomato paste
2 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp curry powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
3 or so cups water
2 cups small white turnips, chopped
1 cup wild carrots, chopped (regular carrots are OK, too!)
1/2 cup green peas

1 can of all natural mixed beans

Fresh coriander
Salt and pepper

Saute onions with oil in a medium pot on medium heat until translucent.

Add tomato paste and saute for a further minute.

Add everything else (spices, vegetables, water) and simmer at medium-low heat for 20ish minutes. Since the beans are pre-cooked the whole thing shouldn’t take that long to cook and come together.

Pour into bowls and serve with fresh coriander and salt and pepper, to taste.

HASHTAGsurvivingajapanesewinter.

the best soup is in shoo

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It’s hotter than a preheated oven here in Japan so I know you’re not going to want to hear about soup but believe me when I say the soup lunch at Piatto Nono is the best I’ve ever had. EVER. Plus, the place is air conditioned so anything’s possible. So what makes their soup so special? Probably the fact that it contains the entirety of Mimasaka’s summer produce. Seriously. Let’s play spot the vegetables.
mushroom
onion
broccoli
potato
green beans
carrot
cabbage
eggplant
radish
zucchini
celery
asparagus
spring onion
Pumpkin
and if all that weren’t enough of a flavor boost, a poached egg and some very good quality bacon are present, too.  For 1180 yen about hmm $13 NZD you get the nutritious dense soup, a choice of mixed grain rice or a bread roll and a drink, too! So what are you waiting for? Grab your ladle and head to Shoo.
For more information (menu, directions etc) click here.

An additional non-food related note:
restaurant is fancy (doubles as art gallery/jewelry store) so you know, don’t rock up in jorts.