Being that my hubby is currently deployed, here I am on a weeknight, totally unmotivated to cook my dinner.  I always live like a single gal when he’s gone in the fact that I make enough food on the weekends to last me a few meals, and then, groaning, realize it’s Wednesday and have to whip up something new.  Well, you might realize it’s only MONDAY and I was too lazy to cook ahead on the weekend!  This is so silly – when Phong’s home, I’m a cooking machine and get uber-creative.  But for now, I’ll settle for finding creativity in simplicity.

I bought some Alii mushrooms at the grocery store this weekend just because they looked fun, as well as some button mushrooms.  I’ve never gotten Alii mushrooms before; they look like huge oyster mushrooms and are cultivated here in Hawaii by Hamakua farms.  I’m feeling a little soupy today so wanted to make a cleansing soup that wasn’t too heavy and could compliment some chicken on the side.  You can totally add whatever you want to this soup and it’ll be great – some shredded chicken breast, a few shrimp, cubed tofu – whatever you like!  Here’s the plain version.  No joke, this took me LESS THAN 15 minutes!

Mushroom-Ginger Soup

2 cans (10.5 oz each) low-sodium chicken broth

1 cup water

2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced lengthwise into 4 pieces

1.5 cups Alii mushrooms, sliced (you can use oyster, shiitake, or whatever mushroom you have on hand)

1.5 cups white button mushrooms, sliced

1/2 tsp red chili oil

1 cup green onion, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In your 5-quart stockpot or whatever soup pot you want to use, combine the chicken broth and water.  Add the ginger slices.  Heat the broth mixture over med-high heat until it boils.  When it does, add all your mushrooms, red chili oil, and green onion.  Let simmer for a few minutes, until the mushrooms are tender (about 6-7 minutes).  Okay, really now, you’re completely done.  SO easy!  Top with black pepper to your liking.  Serves: 3; serving size: about 1 1/2 cups

Nutrition Facts (per serving): 60 calories; 2 g fat; 6 g carbohydrate; 5.5 g protein