A Swift, Slurpy Udon Supper

Japanese udon soup in about 20 minutes? No sweat. This is an easy meal that is sure to satisfy. Noodles are a symbol of long life; slurp them with a pair of chopsticks and happy thoughts.

Kamaboko udon is a noodle dish served with half-moon fish cakes. The color from the kamaboko makes this dish as beautiful as it is tasty. Serve with edamame (soybeans) that come ready to eat. They are found in the freezer or deli sections of Asian or gourmet markets and health food stores. Heat them in the microwave until warm, two to four minutes, and lightly salt them if you wish. They look like large pea pods. Pop the beans from the pods; pods are not edible and should be discarded. The beans are an excellent source of protein.

Finish the meal with something sweet: mochi ice cream. Mochi is a chewy glutinous rice formed into a ball with an ice cream center. It comes in many flavors.

Menu

Edamame

Kamaboko Udon Soup

Mochi Ice Cream

Kamaboko Udon Soup

Active Work Time: 10 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 20 minutes

You can find dashi and kamaboko at Japanese markets, most Asian markets and some supermarkets with well-stocked Asian aisles.

4 cups water

1 tablespoon dashi (instant soup base)

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 cup spinach leaves, stemmed

1 (7-ounce) package udon noodles

3 or 4 (1/8-inch-thick) slices kamaboko (fish cake)

3 (2x1-inch) pieces firm tofu

1 green onion, chopped

* Bring water to boil in large saucepan, then add dashi and soy sauce.

* Add spinach and allow to wilt about 2 minutes.

* Add noodles and cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes.

* Add kamaboko slices; blanch 1 minute.

* Divide soup between 2 bowls and top with green onion.

2 servings. Each serving:

Game plan

20 minutes before: Clean and stem spinach. Slice kamaboko. Drain and cut tofu pieces.

10 minutes before: Bring water to boil; add dashi. Add all ingredients for soup.

5 minutes before: Warm edamame in microwave and lightly salt if necessary.

Ingredients Shopping list

Dashi (instant soup base)

Edamame

Kamaboko (Japanese half-moon fish cake)

Mochi ice cream

Firm Tofu

Udon noodles

Staples

Green onions

Soy sauce

Spinach