My quickest Chinese Vegetable Soup - low calorie miracle!
User Reviews
5
My quickest Chinese Vegetable Soup - low calorie miracle!
Description
This Chinese vegetable soup features a richly infused chicken broth, boosted by garlic, ginger, star anise, soy sauce, sugar, Chinese cooking wine, and toasted sesame oil. These ingredients create a delicate balance of savory and aromatic flavors. Fresh vegetables such as Chinese broccoli stems and leaves, carrots sliced diagonally, and enoki mushrooms are briefly cooked in the simmering broth until tender but still retaining structure.
The soup is finished with fresh herbs like coriander and green onions, plus crispy fried shallots that add texture and mild crunch. Optional additions such as chili crisp or chili sauce provide customizable heat. This light, nourishing soup works well as a starter or a light meal component, highlighting the natural sweetness of the vegetables against the umami-rich broth.
Using a quality low sodium chicken stock is important to avoid overpowering flavors. The recipe allows flexibility with vegetables, and substitutions can include zucchini, cabbage, or mushrooms to suit availability. Chinese cooking wine enhances the broth's complexity, but dry sherry or sake are good substitutes. Toasted sesame oil adds a subtle nutty note at the end.
Ingredients
Infused Asian Broth
- 1 litre / 4 cups chicken stock low sodium (Note 1, or broth
- 2 garlic peeled and halved, cloves
- 1.5 cm / 1/2" ginger cut into 5 thin slices (optional, but highly recommended, piece
- 1 star anise , optional
- 1 1/2 tbsp soy sauce or all purpose soy sauce (Note 2, light
- 2 tsp sugar (any)
- 1 1/2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Note 3)
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil , toasted (optional) (Note 5)
Vegetables (be generous!) - or other veg Note 6
- 4 - 6 Chinese broccoli stems or bok choy, stems and leaves sliced and separated (Note 7 for how to chop)
- 1 carrot peeled, cut in half lengthways then finely sliced on the diagonal, small
- 75g / 2.5 oz enoki mushrooms ("faux" noodles!), or other mushrooms sliced or quartered (Note 8)
Toppings
- 1/2 cup Coriander lightly packed (or Thai basil, mint, chives, cilantro sprigs/leaves
- 1 green onion , green part only finely sliced
- 2 tbsp shallots store bought, staple in my pantry!, crispy fried
- chilli crisp optional, or chilli sauce or sriracha
- sesame seeds other ideas, sliced chilli
- chilli
- Thai basil
Instructions
- Infused broth - Place Broth ingredients in a large saucepan over high heat. Place lid on, bring to a simmer then reduce to the lowest heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. (Meanwhile, chop the veg)
- Cook vegetables - Turn the heat up to high and bring the liquid back to a rapid simmer. Add the carrots, Chinese broccoli stems and enoki mushrooms. Cook 3 minutes. Add Chinese broccoli leaves, push in a simmer for 2 minutes until wilted.
- Serve - Pick the garlic and ginger out of soup. Divide between 2 bowls. Top with a mound of coriander, sprinkle with green onions, shower with crispy shallots, and a good dollop of chilli sauce or chilli crisp. Dig in, feel good!
Notes
- Use good quality low sodium chicken stock for a balanced broth flavor.
- Choose light or all-purpose soy sauce; avoid dark or sweet soy sauces to prevent overpowering the soup.
- Chinese cooking wine adds key flavor; substitute dry sherry or sake if needed.
- Adjust vegetables as preferred, including zucchini, cabbage, and other mushrooms for variety.
- Toasted sesame oil is preferred for its richer taste over untoasted versions.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 2Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 108 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 585g | |
| Calories | 108cal | 5% |
| Carbohydrates | 14g | 5% |
| Protein | 6g | 12% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 2644mg | 110% |
| Potassium | 443mg | 9% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 5866IU | 117% |
| Vitamin C | 27mg | 30% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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