Golden Miso Soup with Shitake, Spinach and Tofu

This is a hearty, warming miso soup, so easy to make, the dried shitake gives it that wonderful earthy umami flavor, here's how I do it:

Ingredients:

Golden miso paste

dried shitake mushrooms, 1/2 cup

2 scallions, chopped

1 packed cup of fresh spinach torn into small pieces

1 tsp sesame oil

cubed super firm tofu, half a block

hot chili oil (optional)

First soak the dried shitake in hot water for at least 20 mins. When soften cut into small pieces. In a sauce pot add 2-3 cups of water, heat to simmer then add 2 heaping tbs of golden miso paste till it dissolves. Add the tofu, mushrooms, sesame oil and simmer 2 mins then add the scallions and spinach and simmer till spinach is softened. I like to add a little hot chili oil for kick but it's optional. Serve in bowls piping hot.