Bok Choy and Red Pepper Soup

Ingredients

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Red pepper flakes

1/2 teaspoon or to taste

Sesame oil

1 tablespoon

Soy sauce

2 tablespoons

Vegetable broth

4 cups

Fresh ginger

1 tablespoon, minced

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Onion

1 medium, chopped

Red bell pepper

1, diced

Bok choy

1 large head, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat the sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, and minced ginger. Sauté until they release their aroma and the onions become translucent, about 2 minutes.
3. Add the diced red bell pepper and chopped bok choy to the pot. Cook for another 3-4 minutes, until the vegetables are slightly tender.
4. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. This allows the flavors to meld together.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Allow the soup to cook for another 2 minutes.
6. Remove the pot from heat and let the soup cool slightly before blending. This will prevent splatter and potential burns.
7. Using an immersion blender or a stand blender, blend the soup until it's smooth. Be careful when blending hot liquids.
8. Return the soup to the pot and heat it over low heat until it's warmed through.
9. Serve the soup hot, garnishing with additional chopped bok choy or red pepper flakes if desired. A squeeze of fresh lime juice can also add a refreshing twist.