Vegetarian Hot Pot

INGREDIENTS:
1. 5 1/4 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
2. 4 1/4-inch-thick slices fresh ginger, peeled
3. 2 cloves garlic, crushed and peeled
4. 2 teaspoons canola oil
5. 1 3/4 cups shiitake mushrooms, stemmed, wiped clean and sliced
6. 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper, or to taste
7. 3/4 pound small bok choy, cut into 1/2-inch pieces, stems and greens separated
8. 3 1/2 ounces Chinese wheat noodles or rice sticks (see Ingredient note)
9. 1 (14 ounce) package firm tofu, drained, patted dry and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
10. 1 cup grated carrots
11. 4 teaspoons rice vinegar
12. 2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
13. 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
14. 1/4 cup chopped scallions for garnish

COOKING DIRECTIONS:

1. Combine broth, ginger and garlic in a Dutch oven; bring to a simmer. Simmer, partially covered, over medium-low heat for 15 minutes. Discard the ginger and garlic.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and crushed red pepper; cook, stirring often, until tender, 3 to 5 minutes. Add bok choy stems; cook, stirring often, until tender, 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Add the mushroom mixture to the broth. Add noodles, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 minutes. Add bok choy greens and tofu; simmer until heated through, about 2 minutes. Stir in carrots, vinegar to taste, soy sauce and sesame oil. Serve garnished with scallions.

Yield: 5 servings
Source: food.yahoo.com

Quick to prepare, this Asian-style noodle soup has all the makings of a one-pot meal. To punch up the heat, add a dab of chile-garlic sauce.
Notes:

Ingredient Note

Chinese wheat noodles and rice sticks (dried rice noodles) are quick-cooking and can be found in the Asian-food section of your supermarket.