Asian Noodle Soup

A steaming bowl of noodles in hot broth, some Dickinson, and my dog as a snuggle-buddy/pillow- what else could you want in life? Noodle soup is a clasic comfort food that I revel in; it is both simple to make and I ate quite a lot of it growing up as a kid.

Many of the ingredients that my mom often puts in the soup, such as potatoes, carrots, and especially lamb/goat meat, are very common in Northwestern Chinese cooking. This recipe is totally versatile for any type of asian-style noodle soup and you can adapt it according to your own tastes and preferences.

Make it vegetarian by omitting the meat and adding cabbage or lettuce, or go carnivorous with a chunkier beef soup. This is a recipe your kids will love and I'm sure many asian families will smile at.


RECIPE: (Serves 4)
*2 tomatoes
*1 pound of lamb or goat meat
*1 onion
*A joint of ginger about the size of your thumb
*1 box tofu
*2-3 potatoes
*About 2 cups (a good handful) of fine Angelhair noodles- I recomment buying an Asian brand like Wu-Mu dry noodles

as there is quite a difference in the texture. You can get thee in any asian market or grocery store, probably even in your local grocery if you have a larger Asian population in the area.
*1 whole bulb of garlic
*1-2 cups cilantro
*1 tablespoon soy sauce
*Add salt to taste (possibly around 2 teaspoons- can't be definite, so just keep adding until you're satisfied)
*Several cups of water to boil (depending on how thick you want your soup; I would use, for this recipe, around 5 cups)
*2 tablespoons vegetable oil
*2 large carrots

PREPERATION:
1.) Finely chop tomatoes, lamb, and carrots

2.) Slice onion to about the size of the first knuckle of your thumb

3.) Finely dice ginger
4.) Stir fry onions and lamb in 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil until meat is cooked

5.) Boil water for soup
6.) Finely dice the tofu, potatoes, garlic, and cilantro
7.) Once the water has come to a boil, put in the the carrots, garlic, potatoes, tofu, meat, onion, and tomatoes
8.) Let boil for 5-10 minutes or until everything is cooked, adding in the chopped cilantro when everything is about done (so it doesn't overcook or wilt)
9.)Add in noodles and simmer for a minute or two; then close the fire and shut the lid, letting it sit for another couple minutes