1 tb vegetable oil 6 oz firm tofu; cut into 1" pcs. 3 md scallions; thinly sliced 1 tb fresh ginger root; grated 1 pk instant miso shiro soup mix; - 1.1 oz. size (white soybean-paste soup) 8 oz dried udon noodles OR -linguine 1 lg carrot; julienned 1 md red pepper; in thin strips 3 strips lemon peel; 3 by 1" 1/4 ts red pepper flakes; crushed 1 bn watercress; tough stem -removed

Instructions

1. In a nonstick 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat, in hot vegetable oil, cook tofu, scallions, and ginger 5 minutes or until golden brown. 2. In 4-quart saucepan over high heat, heat 8 cups water to boiling. Add soup mix, noodles, carrot, red pepper, lemon peel, crushed red pepper, and tofu mixture; heat to boiling. Reduce heat to low; simmer soup 8 to 10 minutes until noodles are cooked (if using linguine, cooking time will be slightly longer) and vegetables are tender. Stir in watercress until it wilts. Serve immediately because noodles will absorb liquid quickly. Note: Shiro miso soup mix can be found in the dried soup section if Asian markets or in some supermarkets. If miso soup mix is unavailable, you can substitute 2 extra large vegetable bouillon cubes.