Spring Delight: Delicious Burdock Root Miso Soup Recipe
Making a Mild and Savory Spring Burdock Root Miso Soup
I received fresh burdock root sprouts harvested from my mother’s garden! Since they are young shoots from spring, they are very tender. I simply rinsed them thoroughly and simmered them in miso soup without any pre-boiling. This soup is wonderfully mild and savory, even without many additional ingredients.
Main Ingredients- Burdock root sprouts, a good handful (use tender spring shoots)
- 1 stalk of green onion
- Plenty of rice water (about 4-5 cups)
Seasoning Ingredients- 3 Tbsp Miso paste (homemade miso adds extra depth of flavor!)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for adjusting saltiness)
- A pinch of sea salt (to add flavor if needed)
- 3 Tbsp Miso paste (homemade miso adds extra depth of flavor!)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp soup soy sauce (for adjusting saltiness)
- A pinch of sea salt (to add flavor if needed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s important to prepare the burdock root sprouts properly. Shake off any dirt clinging to the burdock root and rinse it thoroughly under running water to remove any debris. To prevent the soup from tasting too watery, make sure to drain the sprouts well on a colander.
Step 2
Prepare a medium-sized pot and pour in about 2/3 full of rice water. Bring the rice water to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, add the drained burdock root sprouts. Stir in the miso paste and minced garlic. Bring it back to a boil, stirring to ensure the miso dissolves completely. At this stage, add 2 tablespoons of soup soy sauce to provide a basic level of seasoning.
Step 3
While the burdock root is simmering, cut it into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm in length, using scissors. Spring burdock root sprouts are exceptionally tender, so you can cook them directly in the soup without needing to blanch them beforehand. Adjust the heat to medium and let it simmer for at least 20 minutes, or until the burdock root becomes tender. As the burdock root cooks, the soup’s flavor will deepen.
Step 4
Slice the green onion finely. Once the burdock root is tender, add the sliced green onion to the soup and continue to simmer. The refreshing taste of the green onion will enhance the overall flavor profile of the soup.
Step 5
Finally, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Let it simmer gently for about 10 more minutes. This slow simmering allows the flavors of the burdock root and green onion to meld beautifully into the broth, creating a richer and more complex taste. Taste the soup and if it needs more salt, add a tiny pinch of sea salt to adjust. The mild, subtle flavor is the charm of this miso soup.
Step 6
Serve this burdock root miso soup over a bowl of warm rice and mix it in. The combination of fresh spring flavors and savory miso is truly delicious and satisfying! Enjoy a healthy and flavorful meal with these delightful spring vegetables.
