Tomato Miso Soup

Today, I'm sharing a soup recipe that's a little off the beaten path, but trust me, it's worth the detour. Tangy sweet tomatoes and rich earthy miso go together like a crisp summer breeze with the warmth of the sun. The bright flavor of tomatoes enriches the warm earthy flavor of the miso, and the umami from both components works in synergy. Finished with the minty zing of green shiso, this refreshing soup is perfect for summer. 

This is one of those rare exceptions where you want tomatoes that are ripe but still a bit firm; otherwise, they'll dissolve into the soup (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I also recommend dissolving the miso in a ladle or bowl with some first to avoid mashing up the tomatoes as you mix it in. 

One of my favorite parts about this dish is that it's the kind of recipe that encourages us to see our pantry in new ways and take those leaps of faith in our cooking adventures. It may not always work out, but when it does, it's magical!