Soba Noodle Soup With Roast Pork and Bok Choy

• hoisin sauce1 tablespoon
• sugar↗1 tablespoon
• five-spice powder1 1⁄2 teaspoons
• soy sauce↗1 tablespoon
• soy sauce↗1 teaspoon
• pork loin, boneless↗3⁄4 lb

  boneless

• chicken broth↗8 cups
• gingerroot6

  slices, 1/8-inch thick

• star anise3
• large garlic cloves↗2

  large

• soba noodles, dried↗1⁄2 lb

  dried

• bok choy↗1⁄2 lb

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350.

2. 2

   In a small bowl stir together hoisin, sugar, five-spice powder, and 1 teaspoon soy sauce.

3. 3

   In a small glass baking dish brush pork with hoisin mixture and roast in middle of oven 40 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in center registers 160.

4. 4

   Let pork stand on a cutting board 15 minutes.

5. 5

   Cut pork crosswise into thin slices and halve slices diagonally.

6. 6

   In a large saucepan skim any fat from surface of broth and bring broth to a boil with gingerroot, star anise, garlic, and remaining tablespoon soy sauce.

7. 7

   Remove pan from heat and steep broth, covered, 30 minutes.

8. 8

   Pour broth through a sieve into another large saucepan.

9. 9

   While broth is steeping, in a 5-quart kettle bring 3 1/2 quarts salted water to a boil and add noodles.

10. 10

    When water returns to boil add 1 cup cold water and bring to boil again.

11. 11

    Repeat procedure and simmer noodles 5 minutes, or until just tender.

12. 12

    In a colander drain noodles and rinse under cold water.

13. 13

    Drain noodles well and divide among 4 large soup bowls.

14. 14

    Bring broth to a boil.

15. 15

    Cut bok choy crosswise into 3/4-inch slices and add to broth.

16. 16

    Simmer mixture 2 minutes, or until bok choy is crisp-tender.

17. 17

    Divide pork, bok choy, and broth among bowls.