Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live in Bella Vista near the Italian Market, which, these days, is also home to large Mexican and Asian populations. A block or two from our house is a large plaza wit
h an Asian smokeless barbecue restaurant, a pho noodle shop, a Chinese restaurant and a grocery featuring everything from glass noodles to live eels to baby bok choy. Recently we picked up Chinese food, and while waiting for it, strolled the aisles of the nearby grocery.
And it all pays off in the soup I made Friday: mushroom with vegetable noodles and bok 
choy, and a bit of scallion and pepper. Plus my own secret blend of diced dried vegetables to flavor the broth with that extra kick. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
Kelly McQuain 