Green Tea Broth With Udon Noodles (Mark Bittman)

Ingredients

Broth

• 1/4 cup green tea leaves
• salt
• 8 ounces udon noodles
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon mirin (optional) or sugar (optional)

Additions to green tea broth with udon

• 1 cup finely chopped tomato, added to the broth as it simmers (optional)
• 1-2 pinch cayenne (optional) or other ground dried chile, added to the broth as it simmers (optional)
• 1/2 cup cubed tofu, added to the broth when the noodles are nearly finished cooking (optional)
• 1 cup precooked small bean, added to the broth when the noodles are nearly finished cooking (like soybeans, adzuki, edamame, or mung) (optional)
• 4 scrambled eggs, added to the broth when the noodles are nearly finished cooking (optional)
• 1 tablespoon grated peeled fresh ginger, added to the broth as it simmers (optional)
• 2 sheets nori, lightly toasted and cut into 1-inch strips, for garnish (optional)
• 1 tablespoon sesame seed, used as a garnish (optional)
• 1 teaspoon black mustard seeds (to garnish) (optional)
• 2 tablespoons nuts, like pistachios, cashews (optional) or hazelnuts, toasted and used as a garnish (optional)
• 1 dab wasabi paste (to garnish) (optional)
• 1 thinly sliced onion, added to the broth as it simmers or as a garnish (optional)
• 1 handful of julienned cucumber, added to the broth as it simmers or as a garnish (optional)
• 1-2 cup shredded lettuce (optional) or cabbage, added to the broth as it simmers or as a garnish (optional)
• 1 cup mung bean sprouts, added to the broth as it simmers or as a garnish (optional)
• 2 tablespoons candied ginger, added to the broth as it simmers or as a garnish (omit the mirin or sugar) (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   Put 7 cups water in a large pot with a tight-fitting lid and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and let rest for a couple minutes. Stir in the tea leaves (or use a tea ball, cheesecloth, or some other mesh contraption), cover, and steep until fragrant and richly colored, 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the “tea broth" through a strainer and put the tea in a large saucepan. Discard the tea leaves.

2. 2

   Bring the tea broth to a boil and sprinkle with salt. Stir in the udon. When the broth returns to a boil, add 2 cups of cold water. When the liquid returns to a boil, turn the heat down so that it bubbles gently without overflowing. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are just tender, usually 5 to 7 minutes, but it could be more depending upon the brand you use. Taste and add more salt, a few grinds of pepper, and the mirin or sugar, if you like, and serve.