Cure for the cold

Nowadays here in Gdansk is getting colder and colder with snow covering almost every angle of the streets. So when your bodies’ temperature drops and you are shivering with every muscle you have on your body, you need to give a try to this wholesome and warming noodle soup. I can guarantee you that it takes very little time, totally inexpensive, easy to make and in the end you will feel much warmer after it. Let's get on with the ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 whole-wheat noodle;
• 2 mugs water;
• 150 g broccoli;
• 1 tomato;
• A handful arugula or lettuce;
• 1 tbsp olive oil;
• Salt and pepper.

Procedure

Boil the water first or use a boiler to make it quick. Once the water starts to boil add your noodles and watch out not to overcook them because they need just 5 minutes to cook. When they are 'al dente' which means that when the stick a bit on your teeth when you eat them, that's the right time to put in your vegetables, adding tomatoes at last because you don't want to lose the nutrients by overcooking them. One minute after you add your vegetables turn off the fire and let it rest for a couple of minutes while you add a dash of olive oil, salt and pepper to the taste.

This is the most basic way I prepare my wholesome noodles soup but it's not forbidden to add any vegetable you have in the fridge, boiled eggs, chicken and just set free your fantasy and experiment in your kitchen. Also for the spice you can try to throw in some fresh or dried chilli just to turn on the spice or go for a combination of bay leaf, garlic and ginger.

The good thing about this dish is its versatility as it can be easily adapted to diets ranging from totally vegan to our meat lovers. Each time you consume this meal your body will thank you because you are providing it with essential proteins and minerals. Since the soup has a lot of liquid it’s great because it counts as the daily liquid consumption so your kidneys are going to be happier than ever.

Where to get the ingredients

For the vegetables I went to my local open market and got the fresh stuff from my favourite vendors while for the noodles I go to the Manhattan mall and inside there's a big supermarket with a whole shelf for Asian food. A packet of four rounds of noodles comes for 6. 50zl which I think is reasonable because you can cook it, together with the vegetables, for four meals.

Inspiration

This dish is fully inspired by my fellow Chinese floor mates whom I saw cooking this dish over and over again. They were really surprised when one afternoon the saw me with chopsticks in my fingers, cooking that same dish.

Cheers everyone.

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