Nora: I am in love with this soup! I fully admit it is not authentic in any way but it is really, really yummy. Making the wontons isn’t a terrible ordeal; we often make this on weeknights and assemble dumplings while we talk about our day.

Josh: This soup is everything I want when I dine out, everything I wish was a vegan option at any restaurant. It is so light and flavorful, and homemade wonton really sells it. So delicious, so refreshing, and such great leftovers. Also, other than the time it takes to wrap the wontons, this is a really fast and simple recipe to make. It takes very little time and relatively little effort to put this soup together, and it packs a wallop in taste.

Shiitake Wonton Soup

Serves: 4-6

Time: 30 minutes prep, 10 minutes cook

Slightly adapted from:

Ingredients: Wontons: -1 pack (approx 40) vegan wonton, gyoza, potsticker, dumpling wrappers (check ingredients carefully!) -5oz shitake mushrooms, washed and chopped small -1 tbsp soy sauce -2 cloves garlic, minced -1/2 tsp dried ginger -1 green onion (white and green parts), minced -1/2 tsp sesame oil -1/2 tsp liquid smoke Soup: -1/2 tbsp vegetable oil -1 tsp sesame oil -1 tsp dried ginger -2 cloves garlic, minced -10 cups veggie broth (not-chicken flavor is best) -4 cups (1 small head) napa cabbage, cut cross-wise into strips -2 tbsp rice vinegar -2 more green onions, for serving

Directions: For the dumplings: 1. Chop garlic, shiitake mushrooms and green onions. Mix with all other wonton filling ingredients. 2. Fill wrappers with about 1 tsp mushroom mix. Dip your finger in a small amount of water and run around the edge of the wrapper. Fold the wrapper in half and seal the edges together, pressing any air pockets out. Press the two folded “corners” of the half moon together, overlapping slightly. (You can make the wontons a day or two ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container with a well-wrung wet paper towel on top.) For the soup: 1. Heat a large pot over medium-high. Heat oil until it shimmers. Add garlic and ginger, saute until fragrant. 2. Pour in broth, bring to boil. Cook wontons for 5 minutes or until they all float. 3. Remove from heat, add the cabbage and vinegar. Serve, topped with green onions.

Closing Arguments

Nora: Super-slurpy deliciousness! Josh: An excuse to eat wonton soup? Yes, please.