Warm up a winter evening with this light but satisfying one-pot meal. The tofu absorbs the flavors of this fragrant, spicy broth, making it anything but bland. Look for fresh Chinese-style noodles in the refrigerated case of your supermarket alongside wonton wrappers.

Makes 6 servings, 1 1/2 cups each

ACTIVE TIME: 20 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 30 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

14 ounces firm tofu, preferably water-packed
2 teaspoons canola oil
2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
6 cloves garlic, minced
4 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced (about 2 cups)
1 tablespoon brown sugar
4 cups vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons chile-garlic sauce, or to taste
4 cups thinly sliced tender bok choy greens
8 ounces fresh Chinese-style (lo mein) noodles
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Drain and rinse tofu; pat dry. Cut the block into 1-inch cubes.
2. Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ginger and garlic; cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add mushrooms and cook until slightly soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in sugar, broth, soy sauce and chile-garlic sauce; cover and bring to a boil. Add bok choy and tofu, cover and simmer until greens are wilted, about 2 minutes. Raise heat to high and add the noodles, pushing them down into the broth. Cook, covered, until the noodles are tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in cilantro.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 251 calories; 7 g fat (1 g sat, 1 g mono); 0 mg cholesterol; 39 g carbohydrate; 13 g protein; 7 g fiber; 639 mg sodium; 191 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin A (45% daily value), Vitamin C (40% dv), Fiber (27% dv), Iron (20% dv).

2 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1/2 medium-fat meat, 1 fat

TIP: Chile-garlic sauce is a spicy blend of chiles, garlic and other seasonings; it is found in the Asian section of the market.

I have loved this recipe for 10 years and thought I should write a comment. This is a hearty, healthy and very delicious soup that my family of 3 adores. Any tofu sceptic would love this dish.

Erin, Albuquerque, NM

This was awesome and spicy. I added a little extra chile garlic sauce. This will definitely stay in my cookbook.

Shannon, VA

27 fiber, or 27 calcium?

Mary W, Orange, CA