the most important ingredient to make this deliciously good for you soup (hot salad) is the broth. you need a really good (preferably home made and organic) chicken or vegetable broth. see my recipe for good chicken broth here. to make a delicious vegetable broth:  start with a mirepoix (finely  minced combination of celery, onions, & carrots) sauteed in a bit of vegetable oil (i like extra virgin olive oil or unrefined virgin coconut oil), then add mushrooms, stewed tomatoes (or a tbs or 2 of tomato paste), leeks, and fresh herbs (like flat leaf parsley, thyme, a couple of bay leaves, and tarragon). lentils and/or white northern beans also add a lot of good flavor to vegetarian broths. simmer this all together for at least an hour, then strain and use the broth. if you start with a quality flavorful broth, this soup (hot salad) will taste amazing.

ingredients for four servings (more or less-get creative):

• about 4 cups good chicken broth or vegetarian broth
• 1.5 to 2 cups organic baby spinach
• 4-5 baby bok choy
• 1 small package bunapi mushrooms (or about 12 thinly sliced white mushrooms)
• 1 small bunch fresh organic cilantro
• 2-3 sliced organic scalions (optional)
• 3/4 package 100% soba noodles
• 2 thick slivers of fresh ginger
• 1-2 slivers of jalapeno pepper or 2 tsps sriracha sauce
• 1 tsp sesame oi1
• 2-3 tbs soy sauce (or braggs aminos)
• 1 lime
• black sesame seeds

1. cook the soba noodles per package instructions, drain and set aside (do not overcook)!