Hot and Sour Soup Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken broth (or vegetable broth for a vegetarian version)
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce or Sriracha (adjust to taste)
- 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced (or any mushrooms of your choice)
- 1 cup bamboo shoots, julienned
- 1 cup firm tofu, cut into small cubes
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon white pepper (or black pepper)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Broth:
- In a large pot, combine the chicken broth, water, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Thicken the Soup:
- In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with a bit of cold water to make a slurry.
- Slowly add the cornstarch slurry to the simmering broth, stirring constantly until the broth starts to thicken.
- Sauté Aromatics:
- In a separate pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
- Add the grated ginger and minced garlic, sautéing for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Main Ingredients:
- Add the sautéed ginger and garlic to the broth.
- Stir in the chili garlic sauce or Sriracha.
- Add the sliced mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and tofu cubes to the pot. Simmer for about 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms are tender.
- Add the Eggs:
- While stirring the soup in a circular motion, slowly drizzle the beaten eggs into the soup. This will create egg ribbons throughout the soup.
- Season the Soup:
- Stir in the white pepper and sugar.
- Adjust the seasoning with additional soy sauce, vinegar, or chili garlic sauce to taste.
- Finish and Serve:
- Stir in the sliced green onions.
- Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls.
- Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro if desired.
Tips:
- For a more authentic flavor, you can add a few dried wood ear mushrooms or dried lily buds (both soaked in warm water until rehydrated).
- If you like your soup extra spicy, add more chili garlic sauce or a dash of hot oil.
- For added protein, you can include cooked chicken, pork, or shrimp.
Enjoy your homemade hot and sour soup!