My sister-in-law Cora is a great cook and also a great discoverer of recipes. When she texts me about a recipe, I always follow through and make it. I have yet to be disappointed.
The latest Cora recipe was this Pork and Udon Soup found on the Food Network website. She had made a few modifications, sent me the link with her notes, and told me that my nephew ate three bowls. Of course I had to try it!
Them’s the plastic noodles right there.
I’ve had the soup on my menu for two weeks and today I finally made it. And it was delicious. Anna calls it Plastic Noodle Soup. I like the name and will be calling it that from now on. My kids honestly didn’t love the plastic, I mean udon, noodles, so I may try using ramen noodles next time. But they did love the pork, the veggies and the broth very much. Owen never eats the broth but today he did! (Small victories.)
If you want the original recipe, click here. Cora and I both felt the measurements were way off for some of the ingredients and we also adjusted the directions. So, you know, I’d follow the recipe below if I were you. 😉
- For the roasted pork:
- 1 2-pound pork shoulder
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- Kosher salt and pepper
- Alternatively: In a pinch, you can use Aidells Teriyaki Pineapple meatballs, about half a package (Cora used the meatballs and said it was good but the roasted pork is probably better)
- For the soup:
- 4 tablespoons canola oil, divided
- 2 medium carrots, chopped (my carrots were pretty skinny, I used 4 carrots)
- ½ of a small onion, chopped
- 1½ tablespoons fresh ginger (about 4 inches of root), minced using a zester
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 habanero, seeded and chopped (optional)
- 2 cups sliced mushrooms
- 2 cups cabbage, chopped
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 8 cups chicken stock
- ~1/2 teaspoon salt
- ~3 cups of the roasted pork, shredded
- 2 or 3 7-ounce packages udon noodles (each package is enough for ~4 servings; toss the flavor packet)
- Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
- Bean sprouts, for garnish
- Lime wedges, for garnish
- Sriracha sauce, for garnish
- To roast the pork: Preheat oven to 425º F. In a small bowl mix 4 tablespoons olive oil with 4 minced garlic cloves. Place the pork shoulder in a roasting pan, preferably with a rack in the bottom. Brush the garlic oil on all sides, then sprinkle all sides evenly with kosher salt and pepper. Roast for 20 minutes then reduce heat to 325º F and cook until an instant read thermometer inserted in the center of the pork reads 185º F, which will take a few hours. Remove from oven and let rest for 30 minutes. Shred and set aside.
- To make the soup: Prep the onion, carrots, ginger, garlic, chile (if using), mushrooms and cabbage before you start to cook.
- Heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Once heated add the onions and carrots. Cook until they start to brown. If pan seems too hot while the onions and carrots cook, adjust heat to medium.
- Reduce heat to medium (if you haven't already) then add the ginger and garlic. Cook for 1 minute.
- Add 2 tablespoons canola oil, then add the mushrooms and cabbage. Stir in the soy sauce, then add the chicken stock. Cook for about 10 minutes. At this point taste the soup and see if it needs additional salt. I added ½ teaspoon of salt at this point.
- In a separate small pot, bring about 2 cups of water to a boil. Cook udon noodles for 2 minutes then drain. Divide noodles into 4 bowls.
- Add shredded pork (or meatballs, if using) to the soup and cook for a few minutes, just until meat is heated. Fill each bowl with soup.
- Top with cilantro, bean sprouts, lime juice. Cora and I leave the habanero out of the soup so the kids can eat it, then use Sriracha to add heat to our own individual servings.
It is best to serve and store the noodles separate from the soup. You could in theory cook the noodles right in the soup. Cora said she stored the noodles in the soup for leftovers and they were okay, but it was definitely better keeping them separate.
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
This is a super delicious recipe. We halved the recipe and made as is. Perfect when you are tired of chicken soup.
Thank you fir a great recipe
This is a super delicious recipe. We halved the recipe and made as is. Perfect when you are tired of chicken soup.
Thank you for a great recipe
dianne, I am SO happy you tried the recipe and loved it! you are most welcome for the recipe and thank you so much for letting us know how it went!
Yummmmmmm this looks so amazing!!!
After it was cooked, it had like no flavor except habenaro. Meh.