Lettuce Tomato Soup
Nourishing Lettuce Tomato Soup Recipe Inspired by a Tomato Nabe
When one thinks of nourishing Japanese soups, miso soup often comes to mind.
However, there's another delightful option that might not be as well-known: Lettuce Tomato Soup.
This unique dish was inspired by an experience at a hot pot restaurant in Tokyo. Surprisingly, the tomato-based hot pot served there challenged traditional expectations of Japanese cuisine. This experience sparked the creation of a similar soup to enjoy at home.
Let’s dive into the recipe!
RECIPE
Servings: 6-8
Time: 15 min
Ingredients:
1 lb thinly sliced pork butt or shoulder
1/2 head of lettuce
2-3 heirloom tomatoes
4 cups water
1 tbsp chuka dashi powder
salt and pepper
Instructions:
Begin by slicing the tomatoes and tearing the lettuce into smaller pieces.
Heat a pot over medium heat and add a dash of sesame oil. Add the pork to the pot, season it with salt to taste.
Pour in the water, covering the pork entirely. Allow the pork to simmer gently until it's fully cooked and tender.
Once the pork is cooked, add the sliced tomatoes to the pot. Sprinkle in the chuka dashi powder. Allow the tomatoes to simmer until they soften and release their juices, enhancing the broth.
Once the tomatoes have softened, add the torn lettuce to the pot. Let the lettuce cook for approximately one minute.
Ladle the soup into individual serving bowls, drizzle a bit of sesame oil over each serving and finish with a sprinkle of black pepper.
Delicious Ways To Eat Lettuce:
Both raw and cooked lettuce can offer unique flavors and textures.
Raw lettuce leaves have a refreshing crunch that adds texture to salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Also it has a mild, slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with a variety of ingredients in salads and cold dishes. Additionally, raw lettuce requires minimal preparation and is ready to eat straight from the garden or grocery store, making it a convenient option for quick meals and snacks.
Cooking lettuce, whether grilling, sautéing, or simmering, can soften its texture and mellow its flavor, making it more suitable for warm dishes and soups. It has sweetness and imparts a deeper, richer flavor profile. Cooked lettuce can be incorporated into a wide range of dishes, including soups, stir-fries, grilled dishes, and even smoothies, adding depth and complexity to recipes.
