BOK CHOY NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Trim and wash green onions. Chop white parts into small pieces. Reserve green parts whole.
• Peel and sliver ginger. Peel and mince garlic.
• Heat cooking oil in soup pot over medium-high heat.
• When oil is hot add the white parts of the green onions, garlic, ginger and Chinese five spice powder.
• Saute until aromatics soften, but do not color.
• Add vegetable stock.
• Turn heat up to high and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
• Place shiitake pieces in a bowl and spoon some of the hot stock over them. Let sit.
• In a separate pot, bring three quarts of water to the boil.
• Clean baby bok choy and slice each head into two or three pieces, vertically.
• Put baby bok choy in boiling water for 1 1/2 - 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and refresh under cold water.
• Cook noodles in boiling water according to package directions.
• While noodles cook squeeze broth from mushroom pieces and add to stock.
• Chop mushrooms into small pieces and add to stock.
• Slice green onion tops into thin slices diagonally. Reserve.
• To serve: Place 1/4 of noodles in a large bowl. Add 1/4 of bok choy. Ladle in 1/4 of stock. Top with green onions.
• Optional toppings: shredded toasted nori, grated fresh ginger, roasted pork, tofu, poached egg, etc.