Miso Ramen

Method

1. 1

   Boil the eggs

   Bring a small pan of water to a boil over high heat. Lower in the eggs and boil for 7 minutes for set whites and jammy yolks. Transfer to cold water, then peel once cool enough to handle.

2. 2

   Cook the mushrooms

   Heat the sesame oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes, stirring now and then, until browned and tender.

3. 3

   Cook the aromatics

   Add the garlic and ginger and cook over medium heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until fragrant.

4. 4

   Simmer the broth

   Pour in the vegetable stock and soy sauce. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat, then simmer for 8 minutes over low heat, until the broth is fragrant.

5. 5

   Cook the noodles

   Meanwhile, cook the ramen noodles in a separate pan of boiling water according to the packet directions, usually 3 to 4 minutes, until springy and just tender. Drain well.

6. 6

   Stir in the miso

   Turn the heat under the broth to low. Put the miso in a small bowl and whisk in a ladleful of hot broth until smooth. Stir it back into the pan and warm gently for 1 minute without boiling.

7. 7

   Wilt the spinach

   Stir the spinach into the broth over low heat for 1 minute, until wilted.

8. 8

   Assemble the bowls

   Divide the noodles between bowls and ladle over the broth and mushrooms. Halve the eggs and arrange on top with spring onions and sesame seeds.

Tips

• Keep the garlic and ginger moving as they cook so they do not catch and turn bitter.
• Whisk the miso with hot broth before adding it to the pan to avoid lumps.
• Have the bowls ready before wilting the spinach so it stays bright and tender.

Swaps

• Use another variety of mushroom in place of shiitake.
• Use chopped kale in place of baby spinach, adding it a little earlier so it has time to soften.
• Use black sesame seeds in place of sesame seeds.

Storing

Store the broth and noodles separately in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat the broth gently and cook fresh noodles if possible.