hot hot pot

i love spicy asian soups.  lately we have been eating loads of pho, multiple times a week.  its great for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  i have yet to grow tired of it and doubt i ever will.  

this soup was a fun homemade change from the current "usual".  it's a hot pot and it was so very tasty! really easy too!  I found the original recipe over at theppk.com but changed a few things here and there.  check out the original recipe post for some good ideas about some tasty toppings and add ins.

first, mix 1 tablespoon potato starch with 4 cups mushroom stock, set it aside.  Sauté sliced red onion and sliced red bell pepper in a bit of sesame oil until soft. then add minced garlic, ginger, lemongrass, red pepper flakes, 2 star anise, 1/2 stick cinnamon and a few dried mushrooms. 

slowly add the starchy broth, stirring constantly.  continue cooking for a few minutes before adding a few tablespoons tamari, chopped tomato, salt, and pepper to taste. let simmer away until broth has thickened up.  finally stir in a can of coconut milk and juice from half a lime.

we ate ours with baked tofu, jasmine rice, and cilantro!

this soup is definitely going to become a regular at our house.