Simple Gluten Free Kitchen

My First Hike and Vegan Miso Soup

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Finally, it happened. I did my first Grouse grind last week!

My original plan was to go with friends but I asked my husband if I could do my first one just with him on a weekday when there would be no one at all. The day we picked to go it started raining, I was going to chicken out at that point, but my dear husband didn’t let me. He assured that I won’t feel any rain under the canopy of trees.

 

 

The Grouse Grind’s trail is referred to as ‘Mother Nature’s Stair master” hence it is very popular with health-conscious and fitness oriented people. My husband likes to hike and for him, this one is like a piece of cake. The main trail which is well marked opens in June, but we took the BCMC trail ( 2.2 miles/3.5 km long) which winds its way up the mountain through dense forest landscape. Although I was in the midst of nature I did not get a lot of opportunities to check it out because of the steep climb. Even when I tried to look up, I felt like I was falling backward.

Halfway through, my back, my calves, and everything else started aching even though I was not carrying anything. So I took frequent brief breaks to rest. When an old retired guy saw me gasping for breath he stopped for a second and cheered me up saying, “Just keep going and you will get better every time”. The never-ending rows of trees made the trail seem endless and tiresome. There was also still a lot of snow on the trail as you can see in the pictures, taken by cell phone.

 

 

I was wearing spikes (a traction device) on my shoes to prevent from slipping. My husband said that a month ago the whole trail was covered in snow, it was harder to walk. To me, even this was still a lot and many times I lost my balance. After reaching the top I sank in the chair at the coffee shop. I was so exhausted that I wished for a bed to lie down. My spirits brightened when I saw my husband holding a big gluten-free cranberry walnut cookie with chai latte.

 

 

Being a first-timer, the hike was no doubt very challenging for me in this weather, but I did it (to my own surprise) and will definitely do it more often. A good hot shower made me forget all about the grueling climb and body pain. However, I had no energy to cook so I thought Miso soup would be appropriate as it is pretty healthy and quick to prepare.

 

 

A traditional miso soup has “dashi” which is made from kombu (dried kelp), bonito flakes (dried and smoked skipjack tuna, shaved into thin flakes), sardine or a combination of two or all of them. I have tasted vegan miso soup at a Buddhist temple near my house, but don’t know how to make vegetarian dashi, hence I am using regular vegetable broth to make this miso soup. I bought shiro miso from local farmer’s market which I am not 100% sure if it is gluten free, I just bought looking at the ingredient label. It said organic soybeans, filtered water, organic white rice, sea salt, and culture (Aspergillus oryzae). There was no phone no. where I could call, so serious celiac people should think before using or buy the one that says gluten free on it. I took a chance in using this paste as I am only gluten intolerant, a little bit of gluten will not cause damage to my system.

I have read that miso pastes are salty but this chickpea color miso is certainly not salty. It has a subtle sweetness in it, hence I added salt, black pepper and apple cider to get the taste I wanted. One thing to note about miso is that it is very delicate and never added to the boiling water. If it is heated for long the nutritious enzymes are lost. So it’s a good idea to dissolve miso with little broth and then add to the soup towards the end.

 

 

 

VEGAN MISO SOUP

Ingredients:

2.5 cups vegetable stock

2.5 cups water

1 tbsp minced ginger

2 two ” piece of carrot cut into match sticks (optional)

6 cremini mushrooms, sliced

1 tbsp wakame seaweed (I am using crumbled roasted seaweed which is not recommended for soups but that’s what I had on hand)

1 cup tofu, diced

2 tbsp Shiro miso

soy sauce, salt and black pepper ( optional but if you add gives more flavor)

2 tbsp apple cider or rice vinegar (optional)

fresh pea shoots or green onion

Method:

Heat vegetable stock and water in a saucepan.

Add minced ginger and roasted seaweed. Bring it to boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Add cremini mushrooms and carrots.

Let it simmer until they are soft.

Add tofu, apple cider vinegar, salt and black pepper.

Mix miso paste in a separate bowl with some hot broth.

Stir miso mixture in the soup and turn off the heat.

Ladle soup into bowls.

Garnish with some fresh pea shoots.

 

Update July 2013

I have recently discovered a new miso which is not only  gluten free but also soy free. All I can say about its taste is YUM!

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Only recently on holiday I too went hiking in the snow 😀 – Isn’t it the best (but yes so tiring!)
    Your trail looks so beautiful!
    As for this soup it looks like the perfect dish to warm you up afterward 🙂

    Cheers
    Choc Chip Uru

    Reply

  6. Bravo to you for finally getting up the nerve on your hike. I know the first time when it comes to any exercising can be a bit grueling, no matter what anyone says! Also, it is a good thing that you are now committed to do it more often. Even though it was heavy snow, the scenery does look amazing.
    Miso soup was the perfect choice after all of that-easy, healthy and oh so comforting. Great post!

    Reply

  7. Oh I bet you felt sore for a few days after that hike but it gets better once you limber up those muscles. Cheers to you! I love this miso soup and the use garbanzo bean miso. One of my most favorites and vegan also. Thanks.

    Reply

    • Not at all, I was totally fine after two hours. I was surprised that when I first play Badminton my arm was sore for days. I think that’s the beauty of this hike just like when you give birth you forget all about pain.

      Reply

  9. Congrats that you made it to the hiking venture but suppose being the first time, the tiredness got to you. Thats a lovely pic you have attached with this posting. I like this Japanese style soup you made though I never made it before but we do have our dose of miso soup in the Japanese restaurants when we dine in here. Oh yes, its also vegetarian miso soup too.

    Reply

  11. It sounds like you had a great first hike–that is some trail! It will only get easier from here. And that soup! Such a perfect warm dinner to recover from the hike.

    Reply

  12. I have yet to go hiking. Congrats on your first.
    The miso soup looks delicious. I usually order this at restaurants. Now thanks to your recipe, I shall make it home.

    Reply

  13. Oh, I did this with my sons a couple years ago! Katie and Bill took the gondola 🙂 I couldn’t believe there were people running up the trail…my legs were wobbling like jello by the time we got to the top! Of course, we did it in the summer, so we, thankfully, had a dry, snowless climb.

    I have never eaten miso soup, but it’s definitely on my list to try…yours is beautiful, my friend~

    Reply

  14. Congrats!!! That man is right, I do think it gets easier, I don’t hike but I’ve been going to the gym for a few months and I end up exausted but only because I have done more than I was able to a few months ago!

    The soup looks great too!!

    Reply

  15. You go hiking at last ! ;D And it looks like quiet a hike , too ! I guess with frequent jaunts , it will go easier from there 😀 The soup looks so heartwarming and it’s great after that gruelling hike 🙂

    Reply

  21. Wow,,,sound like you have a good walk and Fun,I like hiking but not in cold weather,,,summer time is best for me 🙂 and I’m sure that miso soup taste really good after you’ve been out in the cold temperature,make you warm !!
    Ridwan

    Reply

  22. Wow, that sure sounds like some hiking trail!Kudos to your for accomplishing the task and enjoying the experience!This miso soup looks so satisfying and delicious 🙂

    Reply

  25. Well done on your first hike! I can totally understand how your body felt after a day of hiking coz I’ve done it a couple of years ago & it’s not a piece of cake, I must confessed! But it was a rewarding experience! Miso soup sounds very comforting & your vegan version is even healthier after a long walk! Have a lovely day, Balvinder! 🙂

    Reply

  26. BRAVO for you! I’m proud of you for doing the climb. It’s not easy. We go to the mountains every summer and go hiking. Each year I find it more and more difficult. In 2010 I climbed my first 14,000 ft. mountain and boy was it hard for me. I was dying the entire way up and when I got to the top, dreaded going down I was so pooped, but I did it with the help and encouragement of my daughter. Of course when we got back to the house she laughed and told my son and hubby how I moaned and groaned. Of course I can laugh about it now but then it was brutal.

    I’m sure the Miso Soup warmed your insides after a cold climb like that. Aren’t you proud of yourself now?

    Reply

  27. Congratulations on the climb – you’re awesome! I’ve never tried miso soup at all, but one day I will – it sounds delicious!

    Reply

  32. It looks so cold and reminds me of Canada where we spent 30 years of our lives. We now live in the hot tropics – quite a difference. LOL I think soup makes sense after your long, adventurous hike. Glad you could go down by gondola lift. Phew!

    Reply

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