Southeast Asian Miso Soup

Ingredients

• 1 leek, greens included, roughly chopped
• 1 medium onion, peeled and cut into large dice
• 1 carrot, peeled and chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 8 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 2 lemongrass stalks, cut into 4-inch pieces
• 2-inch piece fresh ginger, unpeeled and cut into 6 pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, unpeeled and cut in half
• 2 jalapenos, cut in half
• Handful cilantro stems
• 2 oz. rice stick noodles, broken into 3-inch pieces
• 2 Tbs. dark red miso4 oz. firm silken tofu, cut into 1/4-inch dice (13 box)
• 1 scallion (white and light green parts), thinly sliced
• 1 cup watercress ( 1/2 bunch, heavy stems removed)
• 2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup cilantro leaves
• 1 small chile, such as Thai bird or serrano, or small jalapeno, cut into very thin rings, optional