"We Both Like Soup" Saimin #MoviesandMunchies

This month the Movies & Munchies group is watching Best in Show with Amy of Amy's Cooking Adventures hosting.

I had a tough time watching this as I don't really have a sense of humor and a 'mockumentary' isn't really my cup of tea. This mockumentary dives into the dog-show world, the prestigious (fictional) Mayflower Dog Show, and the ridiculous characters that are the dog owners.

Harlan has a bloodhound; Gerry and Cookie own a terrier; Stefan and Scott have a Shih Tzu; Meg and Hamilton have a Weimaraner; and Sherri Ann and Leslie share a standard poodle.

There wasn't a whole lot of food inspiration in the movie, but I did chuckle at Jennifer Coolidge's explanation of her character, Sherri Ann, and her relationship to her four decades' older husband, Leslie. She says, "Leslie and I have an amazing relationship and it's very physical, he still pushes all my buttons. People say 'oh but he's so much older than you' and you know what, I'm the one having to push him away. We have so much in common, we both love soup..."

Soup it was. I love making soup, but I am pretty sure saimin is one of our favorites.

Saimin

I have been making saimin for years. And, when we were on Oahu last summer, I wanted to stop at McDonald's to see if they still served saimin. But, I have raised ardent, dedicated food snobs and no one - no one! - wanted to go with me. Fine. We ended up in Wahiawa to get some authentic saimin. Jake ordered his beloved Loco Moco, but the rest of us got bowls of Hawaiian deliciousness!

There are three components to saimin, but you can make it was simple or as complicated as you like...

• Broth - clear, dashi-based broth

• Noodles - wheat noodles, light and springy

• Toppings - kamaboko (fish cake), char siu (or other sliced meat), green onions (plus other veggies), a poached egg, and furikake

Noodles

• 2 to 3 bundles saimin noodles (fresh or frozen)

Quick Broth

• Chicken broth

• Dashi powder

• Soy sauce

Toppings

• Spam or other meat

• Scrambled egg or poached egg

• kamaboko (fishcake, the pink and white one)

• green onions

• vegetables (I used celery, carrots, red bell peppers, asparagus, and corn)

• furikake for sprinkling

Make the broth. Bring the chicken broth to a boil, then add in the dashi powder and soy sauce. Keep the broth at a simmer while you prepare the noodles.

Boil the noodles according to package instructions. Drain and divide between bowls. Pour the broth over the noodles. Add the toppings.

That's a wrap on my offering for June's Movies & Munchies. We'll be back next month with the option of watching Knives Out or Glass Onion: Knives Out 2. I'm hosting. Stay tuned.