Hot & Sour Soup

Serves: 6

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 20 min

This Chinese staple can likely be found at any restaurant but is pretty easy to make at home and is perfect on a cold Seattle day. You can add as much or as little of anything to meet your preferences.

Ingredients

1 dried red chili pepper

1 handful of dried lily flowers (about ½ cup after rehydrating)

1 handful dried wood ear mushrooms

1 handful of dried shiitake mushrooms (save the water from these for flavor)

1 package of fresh medium firm tofu

4 oz bamboo shoots

1-2 large eggs

8 cups low sodium chicken stock

½ teaspoon salt

¼ teaspoon sugar (optional)

2 tsp fresh ground white pepper

2 tsp dark soy

1 tbs light soy

1 tsp sesame oil

⅓ cup white vinegar

¼ cup cornstarch

¼ cup water

Instructions

1. In separate bowls, soak the dried lily flowers, wood ear mushrooms, and shiitake mushrooms in warm or hot water. Let them soak for 3 hours minimum.

2. Thinly slice the shiitake mushrooms, wood ears mushrooms and trim the tough ends off the lily flowers and then cut them in half or into quarters.

3. Drain the tofu and cut the spiced tofu and the firm tofu into small cube sized pieces.

4. Thinly slice the bamboo shoot, and in a smaller bowl beat the eggs.

5. Chop scallions and set aside for garnish.

6. In a large pot, add in the stock, then add in the salt, sugar, dried chili pepper, white pepper, soy sauces and sesame oil.

7. Then add in the lily flowers, shiitake mushroom, bamboo shoots and wood ear mushrooms. Bring the soup to a simmer.

8. Add in the tofu, vinegar and make sure to stir. Cook for a few minutes and then using a spoon, stir the soup well and slowly pour the beaten egg into the center. It will create a nice lace effect.

9. In a separate bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water. Mix well, and if you let it sit make sure you stir it again before adding or it’ll congeal your soup.

10. Add in the cornstarch slurry as you did the eggs while continuously stirring. After a couple minutes you should see your soup get thicker. Test it by placing a wooden spoon in and seeing how it clings to the back.

11. Adjust any flavors to your preference and garnish with green onions. Enjoy!