Miso soup, your so soup

Yum. I've never attempted to use the fermented brown rice product known as Miso. It's amazing. It's easy, and makes soup, a snap. it's similar to boullion, but better. I put my "northern girl" spin on it, by adding celery and carrots, because they were available, and sad and lonely. It was a good time to quarter cremini mushrooms and allow their beauty and flavor to meld into the soup.

I started by frying a shallot with garlic, and then I heated a bit of water and sunk two tablespoons of Miso into a small coffee cup. I whisked the Miso in a large pot, and added the shallot and garlic. I then tossed in about two cups of cremini mushrooms. I cut up about three stalks of celery and about three carrots. I like to slice them at a bias so they're more attractive in the leftover stage.

I tossed all those vegetables in, and I let it cook for about 20 minutes over a medium heat, covering with filtered water. I added some powdered ginger, cinnamon (I guess a teaspoon or two), and I dropped in some Kelp leaves (particularly good for me). I dropped about a tablespoon of Sriracha hot chili sauce, and I let it cook another 20 minutes or so. At serving, I drizzled some toasted sesame oil across it, and it was outstanding!

There is a hotness that lingers, but it isn't a burn. I think it's one of my most favorite adventures yet!

For the Cats

I've got a way to garner the attention of your feline friends.

Feed them Kipper Snacks.... on a fine bed of flatbread crackers. This lady has been hanging around for 16 years. Caramel rarely likes anything that's human food. Today, she perked up at the smell of sardines. Sardines are a nice way to get your Omega 3's and 6's, and they can be a sustainable way to snack every now and then when you buy wild-caught. I find that these aren't terribly filling, so you can be sure you'll still have room to munch on your dinner. I don't think they give off too much of a fishy taste, though this variety is packed in mustard. I recall enjoying mustard packed sardines, and these are great! I recently purchased Wheat Thins' Tuscan flatbread. I think of it as just a  fancier Wheat Thin cracker. Try Wasa crackers, as well!