Chinese Hot Pot Soup

1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 large carrot, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced on a diagonal
1 celery stalk, thinly sliced on a diagonal
6-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
5 1/2 cups vegetable stock
1 Tbsp. tamari or other soy sauce
8 oz. extra-firm tofu, drained and diced
4 oz. fresh shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and caps thinly sliced
1 oz. snow peas, strings trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
3 scallions, chopped
1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil or Chinese hot oil (opt, not calculated)

• In a 4-quart slow cooker, combine the onion, carrot, celery, water chestnuts, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Add the stock and tamari. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.
• About 20 minutes before serving, add the tofu, mushrooms, snow peas, and scallions. Drizzle on the sesame oil. Cover and cook until the mushrooms and snow peas are tender. Serve immediately.

Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user ROBINLYN.