Mock Chicken Noodle Soup

This simple, soothing soup recalls a comfort soup from my childhood. It proves that winter soups need not always be thick to provide a sense of warmth. I like to use a mild-flavored variety of baked tofu in this, such as Soy Boy Tofu Lin.
Notes
You can use vermicelli or angel hair, broken into 1½-inch pieces; soba noodles are good too, if you want something a bit more nourishing or assertive. Fine, round noodles such as anellini are also good.
6 servings
CostInexpensive
Total Timeunder 1 hour
Kid FriendlyYes
One Pot MealYes
Recipe Coursehot appetizer, main course
Dietary Considerationegg-free, halal, kosher, lactose-free, low cholesterol, low saturated fat, peanut free, tree nut free, vegan, vegetarian
Mealdinner, lunch
Moodblue
Taste and Texturegarlicky, light, savory, umami
Type of Dishhot soup, soup
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 large celery stalks, finely diced
- 3 medium carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
- 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, minced
- 6 cups water with 2 vegetable bouillon cubes
- 1 teaspoon salt free seasoning
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- 4 to 6 ounces short, fine noodles (see Note)
- 4 to 6 ounces baked tofu, finely diced
- Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
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Heat the oil in a large soup pot. Add the celery, carrots, garlic, onion, and about 2 tablespoons water. Cover and sweat over medium heat for about 10 minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften.
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Add the water with bouillon cubes, seasoning, and dried dill. Bring to a rapid simmer. Lower the heat, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
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Raise the heat and bring to a more vigorous simmer. Add the noodles and simmer steadily for 5 to 8 minutes, or until all dente.
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Stir in the diced tofu, then season with salt and pepper. Serve at once. As the soup stands, the noodles quickly absorb the liquid. If you plan on having leftovers of the soup, add a cup or so of additional water before storing, and adjust the seasonings. This way the soup can develop more flavor as it stands.
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2009 Nava Atlas