Hot and Sour soup

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Serves: 4Ingredients:

• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/2 cup (120ml) rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon white pepper
• 1/2 cup (100g) firm tofu, diced
• 1/2 cup (50g) shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup (50g) bamboo shoots, julienned
• 1/4 cup (30g) wood ear mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• 1/4 cup (30g) dried lily flowers, rehydrated
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (10g) cilantro, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare Broth (Medium-High Intensity):
   • In a pot, combine chicken or vegetable broth, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and white pepper. Bring to a simmer.
2. Thicken Soup (Medium Intensity):
   • In a small bowl, mix cornstarch with a few tablespoons of water to create a slurry. Slowly pour the slurry into the simmering broth, stirring constantly until the soup thickens.
3. Add Tofu and Vegetables (Medium Intensity):
   • Add diced tofu, sliced shiitake mushrooms, julienned bamboo shoots, rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, and rehydrated dried lily flowers to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
4. Adjust Seasoning (Medium-High Intensity):
   • Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. You can add more soy sauce or rice vinegar according to your preference.
5. Pour Beaten Eggs (Medium Intensity):
   • Slowly pour the beaten eggs into the hot soup, stirring gently with a fork to create ribbons. The eggs will cook instantly.
6. Serve (Low Intensity):
   • Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls.
   • Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro if desired.
7. Enjoy your Hot and Sour Soup! (Low Intensity):

Note: Feel free to customize the soup by adding cooked shredded chicken or shrimp for extra protein. Adjust the level of heat and sourness by modifying the amount of white pepper and rice vinegar. Hot and sour soup is a classic Chinese dish that combines bold flavors for a satisfying meal.