Star Wars Menu: “Poe Pho” by Astrid Tuttle Winegar
Perhaps before leading the rebels away from the Battle of Crait, Captain Poe Dameron found some time to make up a bit of soup. Or maybe he had already packed a thermos. If he prepared this soup on Crait, at least he wouldn’t have any problem locating some salt. Finding a chicken might be problematic; would it be worthwhile to hunt for a Vulptex? Hard to tell if those crystalline creatures would be appetizing, but you never know. For a nice vegetarian option, you could just use water instead of the chicken broth and substitute a quarter pound of firm tofu, cut into ½″ cubes.
“Poe Pho”
1 quart low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup water
¼ cup sweet white miso
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon each:
-crushed ginger
-minced garlic
-Sriracha sauce (or more!)
-toasted sesame oil
About 1 cup cabbage, shredded
About ½ cup scallions, thinly sliced
About ½ cup carrots, shredded
¼ pound mushrooms, thinly sliced
¼ pound snow pea pods, cut into thin slices vertically
¼ pound cooked chicken, coarsely chopped
¼ pound thin flour-type noodles or udon
About ½ cup fresh basil, coarsely chopped
Optional garnish:
-shredded carrots and/or shredded cabbage
-wasabi peas
-a drizzle of toasted sesame oil
-crunchy chow mein noodles or crispy rice sticks
Combine the broth through the sesame oil in a 4-quart saucepan. Whisk well and bring to a boil. Cook on medium heat 5 minutes, uncovered. Add the cabbage through the chicken and continue to cook on medium heat for 5 minutes, uncovered. Stir a few times.
Break the noodles into halves or thirds and add to the pot. Raise heat and cook, uncovered, 5-10 minutes, until the noodles are done according to the package directions. Stir a few times. Mix in the basil and cook another minute. Season, if desired. Garnish, as desired. Cover and chill leftovers. Serves 3-4.
Astrid Tuttle Winegar
REPORTER
Astrid Tuttle Winegar is the author of “Cooking for Halflings & Monsters: 111 Comfy, Cozy Recipes for Fantasy-Loving Souls” (in paperback and epub formats from your favorite online booksellers). She loves Middle-earth, Narnia, the Final Frontier, and many other things besides. She has a special love for the Galaxy Far, Far Away. She lives in the enchanted city of Albuquerque, New Mexico, with her husband. Visit her website for more information: Astrid Tuttle Winegar | Cooking for Halflings & Monsters. Staff Reporter.