Miso Soup

Ingredients

• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 medium to large leek, thinly sliced crosswise
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced or minced
• 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup loosely packed arame, rinsed, optional
• 4 oz. fresh oyster mushrooms, stem ends pared and torn into pieces
• 6 oz. tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 to 2 Tbs. mellow barley miso or to taste
• 4 cups coarsely chopped loosely packed spinach
• Umeboshi vinegar to taste, optional