Lemon Dill Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup

I've always liked the idea of chicken noodle soup, but I hate overcooked celery and carrots. Given these two mushy culprits generally prominently feature in chicken noodle soup I typically stay away from it. However, a friend was under the weather, and I do think there is something comforting about chicken noodle soup, so I decided to reinvent it with ingredients I like (leeks, shiitakes, and dill). The lemons and dill really brightened the flavors and resulted in one of the most flavorful (and celery free!) chicken noodle soups I've ever had. Blog win!

Ingredients (makes 8-10 servings)
-1.5 package meatless "chicken" tenders, such as Quorn 
-8-10 C vegetable broth (I used a mixture of vegetable broth and water + vegetarian bullion cubes to save $)
-1 red onion, diced
-1 sweet yellow onion, diced
-2 leeks, chopped into thin rounds up to the light green part of the leek
-4 cloves garlic, minced
-1 package (about 4 oz) fresh shiitake mushrooms, diced
-1 head of fresh dill, finely diced
-juice of two lemons
~8 oz of noodles (I like rotini)
-1 C chopped carrots (optional)
-2 T EVOO

-1/4 C white wine (optional)
-2 bay leaves
-salt and pepper

Steps
1. In a large pot or dutch oven, saute your red onion with EVOO for about 3 minutes. Then add your garlic and saute for another 30 seconds.
2. Add your leeks and saute another few minutes.
3. If you have some white wine, you can add about 1/4 C to deglaze the pan.
4. Add the shiitakes, and saute a couple more minutes. If you're using carrots you can add them in here.

5. Slowly add in 8 C of water and 8 bullion cubes. Add in your bay leaves (don't forget to take them out at the end).
6. Add in your meatless chicken and bring pot to a boil.
7. Add in noodles and cook for about 8 minutes or until al dente.
8. Add in lots of dill (I put in over 1 C), the juice from your two lemons, and salt and pepper to taste.

9. Let simmer for a few more minutes, tasting and adjusting spices as you go.
10. Enjoy (this is great with some crusty, buttered bread)!

Note 1: This will make a lot of leftovers, but the soup seems to get better the next day. However, the noodles will soak up most of the broth so you will probably have to add some water when you reheat. If you want extra flavor you can add in another bullion cube when reheating.

Note 2: My eyes have become increasingly sensitive to raw onion the older I've gotten. I've found that wearing swimming goggles while chopping onions is not only a style statement ;-), but also an eye-saver.