Spicy Noodle Soup with Ground Meat

Spicy Noodle Soup with Ground Meat

Ingredients:

For the Soup Base:

• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-inch piece of ginger, grated
• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup chili paste (like gochujang or sambal oelek)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground Sichuan peppercorns (optional, for extra heat)

For the Protein and Vegetables:

• 1/2 pound ground pork, beef, or turkey (or tofu for vegetarian)
• 1 cup bok choy or spinach, chopped
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup chopped cabbage

For the Noodles:

• 2 servings of ramen, udon, or rice noodles (cooked according to package instructions)

Toppings:

• Chopped scallions
• Sesame seeds
• Chili oil (optional)
• Fresh cilantro (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Soup Base:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add garlic, ginger, and onion, and sauté until fragrant.
2. Stir in chili paste, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sugar, and Sichuan peppercorns (if using). Cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the broth and water. Bring to a simmer.

2. Cook the Protein and Vegetables:

1. Add the ground meat to the pot, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned.
2. Stir in the vegetables (bok choy, carrots, and cabbage) and simmer for 5 minutes until tender.

3. Assemble the Dish:

1. Divide the cooked noodles into bowls.
2. Ladle the hot soup over the noodles.

4. Add Toppings:

1. Garnish with chopped scallions, sesame seeds, chili oil, and cilantro as desired.

This spicy noodle soup is perfect for a cozy meal with bold flavors! Adjust the spice level by adding more or less chili paste. Let me know if you’d like further customizations!