There's a Buddhist monastery near my parents' house. It is, technically, all-you-can-eat. Now I'm not ashamed to say I like a good buffet. In the NYC area, the best is no doubt East Buffet in Flushing, a lavish banquet hall that has every permutation of Chinese (and some Japanese) food, plus the crown jewels of any Chinese buffet: lobster and Peking Duck.
The United Nations used to rotate international lunch buffets in the Delegates' Dining Room, but I've heard they've since downscaled. I overdosed on rice krispie treats at Goofy's Kitchen in DisneyWorld and I haven't touched a krispie since.
But a Buddhist buffet. Sure you can gorge yourself on a cruise or in Vegas, but in an ascetic monastery that practices unleashing yourself from earthly desires? It just doesn't seem right.
But if there were a Buddhist buffet where you could eat with abandon, this is the type of thing you'd eat. I made this because I was sick and I wanted something nourishing and alive. Like, fermented alive. That's where the miso came from.
But that wasn't enough to be a meal so I boosted it with more goodness: seaweed, soft tofu, edamame, cauliflower, broccoli, kale, and whole cloves of garlic. The recipe is too simple and I feel like writing it out is condescending. It's just a pot generously filled with good things, boiled until cooked. It's lavish, but in a simple sort of way.