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hot and sour soup served

Hot and Sour Soup

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Course: Soup
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups  vegetable broth
  • 1 cup  water
  • 1 cup  shiitake or button mushrooms thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup  bamboo shoots
  • 1/2 cup  firm tofu cut into small cubes
  • 1 small  carrot julienned
  • 2 tablespoons  soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons  rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon  cornstarch  mixed with 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon  chili paste or sriracha
  • 1/2 teaspoon  ground white pepper
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons  fresh cilantro chopped (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon  sesame oil
  • Salt to taste

Method
 

  1. In a large pot, combine the vegetable broth and water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.
  2. nce the broth is boiling, add the sliced mushrooms, bamboo shoots, tofu cubes, and julienned carrots. Stir well and reduce the heat to medium. Let the soup simmer for about 5 minutes,
  3. Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, chili paste or sriracha, and ground white pepper. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning as needed, adding salt or more soy sauce for saltiness, more vinegar for acidity, or additional chili paste for heat.
  4. Give the cornstarch and water mixture a quick stir to recombine, then slowly pour it into the soup while continuously stirring. Continue to simmer the soup for another 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly, achieving a silky consistency.
  5. Remove the pot from heat. Stir in the sesame oil, which adds a rich, nutty aroma to the soup. Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls and garnish with chopped green onions and fresh cilantro, if using.

Notes

  • Mushroom Variety: While shiitake mushrooms offer a deep, earthy flavor, you can substitute or combine them with other varieties like cremini or oyster mushrooms based on availability and preference.
  • Adjusting Heat Levels: Customize the spiciness by varying the amount of chili paste or sriracha. For a milder version, reduce the quantity; for extra heat, consider adding freshly chopped chili peppers.
  • Vinegar Choices: Rice vinegar provides a subtle acidity, but you can experiment with black vinegar or white vinegar for a different tangy profile.
  • Protein Additions: For added protein, consider incorporating edamame or chickpeas. Ensure they are cooked before adding them to the soup.