Vegetarian Pho (Crock Pot) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1 green chili pepper, seeded and chopped
3 slices ginger
2 star anise, whole
1 cinnamon stick
3 tablespoons tamari (or your favorite soy sauce)
6 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon peanut oil
4 ounces seitan, cut into strips, optional (I didn't use any)
3 tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons barley miso (or regular miso(I used white miso)
2 tablespoons hot water
6 ounces rice noodles, soaked for 15 minutes in cold water and drained
1/2 cup bean sprouts, garnish
4 scallions, chopped, garnish
2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped, garnish

Preparation

In crock pot combine the first 7 ingredients (onion - broth), cover and cook on low for 6 hours.
Meanwhile, heat oil in skillet over medium high heat and add seitan strips. Brown on all sides. Remove from heat and set aside.
Strain broth/stock and return broth to crock pot.
In a small cup combine miso paste with water.
In a small bowl combine the next 2 ingredients and the miso/water mixture. Add to broth in crock pot. Stir in drained rice sticks and seitan. Cook for 5-10 minutes longer or until rice sticks are soft.
To serve, ladle soup into bowls and garnish with bean sprouts, scallions and cilantro.