Description
A comforting and light Chinese Napa Cabbage Soup featuring tender napa cabbage and carrots simmered in a flavorful vegetable broth, enhanced with garlic, soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and a hint of sesame oil. Perfect as a nourishing appetizer or a light meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Soup Ingredients
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups vegetable stock
- 3 large leaves napa cabbage, sliced into 2-inch pieces (about 0.5 lb / 250 g)
- 1 medium carrot, sliced
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon neutral oil (for sautéing)
Instructions
- Prepare the Aromatics: Heat a tablespoon of neutral oil in a Dutch oven or large soup pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
- Add Vegetables and Broth: Add the sliced napa cabbage and carrot to the pot, then pour in the vegetable stock. Increase the heat to bring the mixture to a boil.
- Simmer the Soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot with a lid and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender and softened.
- Season the Soup: Remove the pot from heat and stir in the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, and sesame oil. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional soy sauce if desired.
- Serve Warm: Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately while warm, enjoying the delicate balance of flavors and comforting warmth.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, you can add a small piece of ginger when sautéing the garlic.
- ShaoXing wine can be substituted with dry sherry if unavailable.
- This soup pairs well with steamed rice or as a starter for a larger Chinese meal.
- Use vegetable stock or homemade broth for best flavor.
- To make this dish vegan, ensure soy sauce and other ingredients are vegan-friendly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Chinese
Keywords: Chinese cabbage soup, napa cabbage soup, vegetarian Chinese soup, light vegetable soup, easy Chinese soup
