Spicy siken Tofu and Kimchi Soup

Spicy 

 Spicy silken Tofu and Kimchi Soup

This is a simple and satisfying soup, that I normally get at my favorite Korean restaurant.It is pretty easy to make if you have the ingredients available and now you can enjoy this in the comfort of your own home with plenty of leftovers.  The base is a lot of Kimchi so you can make your own, just keep in mind it takes about 4 days to ferment, or you can purchase it at your local Asian Market. 
It can be very versatile according to taste, adding mushrooms and zucchini to make it even heartier.
1 small onion chopped
2 cups of Kimchi with a lot of liquid if possible
4 cloves of garlic minced
3 heaping teaspoons of Korean chili paste, or any hot spicy chili paste you like
2 quarts of vegetable broth
2 teaspoons of soy sauce
2 teaspoons of agave 
3 heaping teaspoons of white miso 
1 zuchini sliced into half moons
2 16oz. silken tofu
3-4 sacllions 
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups of steamed basmati rice

Saute onion in 2 tbsp olive oil, add garlic and chili paste, continue for about 5 minutes. Add zucchini, kimchi with liquid, stock, soy sauce, agave and simmer for about 30 minutes. Uncover add tofu and simmer for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat stir in Miso , scallions, optional jalapeño and more hot sauce!! Serve with steaming hot rice!!

Kimchi 
This is a fermented cabbage , it can be used in soups, stews, as a side dish, or relish. 
2 lbs. Chinese Napa Cabbage cut up
1 tbsp minced ginger
6 scallions , slivered
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/4 cup of Korean dried hot pepper or chili pepper will work
1 teaspoon of sugar
4-5 sliced radishes(for summer kimchi)
1 sliced cucumber(for summer kimchi)
Asian markets carry Kimchi Base paste
1 gallon of water
1/2 cup of salt
Cut up the cabbage into chunks, dissolve the salt in the water and submerge the cabbage for 2 hrs.
Mix the other ingredients in a very large glass bowl, drain the cabbage , rinse and dry.
Mix it all up, pack it in a large jar or 2 and let it stand in a dark cool place for 4 days, until it starts bubbling. Place in the refrigerator after 4 days and its good for up to a month!! Every household makes it a bit differently, so add your own fall, and go wild in your kitchen!!!