 |
A Tasty Chinese Sour Hot SoupChinese cooking follows the saying "Let food be your medicine," and this Sour Hot Soup is no exception. Cooks have known for
generations that sour food is refreshing, and that spicy food stimulates the taste buds. That makes this Sour Hot Soup the
perfect appetizer! Ingredients4 cups chicken broth or stock1/2 cup slivered chicken and/or pork 1/4 cup mushrooms of your choice, sliced thinly 1/4 cup bamboo shoots, sliced into thin strips 1/2 cup tofu, diced 1 tablespoon dry sherry 2-3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or rice vinegar 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/4 cup water White or black pepper to taste 1 egg, beaten 1 teaspoon sesame oil 2 green onions, chopped Preparation1. If the mushrooms are dried, soak them in warm water for about 30 minutes before slicing.2. Soak the pork/chicken in sherry for about 10 minutes. 3. Add Stock, pork/chicken, bamboo shoots and mushrooms to the soup pot. 4. Bring to boil, reduce to low heat and cook for about ten minutes. 5. Add tofu, cook for one more minute. 6. Add soy sauce, vinegar and pepper. 7. Mix cornstarch in water, mix thoroughly. Add to soup and stir it in well. 8. Bring to boil and let soup cook until corn starch begins to thicken the soup (about two minutes). 9. Stir the soup well, and continue to stir as you pour in the egg in a thin stream. 10. Remove from heat and serve garnished with remaining ingredients. NotesMany of the ingredients in this sour hot soup are optional, of course. For instance, I prefer not to add mushrooms, and use a little extra tofu instead. Also, since I like my soup a little more spicy than normal I use a bit of Vietnamese chili sauce to liven it up a bit.Lastly, you can adjust the amount of vinegar to suit your taste; not everyone likes it as sour as it can be. Tips and TechniquesWhen thickening a soup or stew using a starch, you need to make sure that the soup comes to a full boil. This will activate the starches and get them combining into the long, microscopic strands that hold onto liquid. If you do not bring it to a boil, the best you will get is little lumps throughout the soup. At worst you will get a pasty taste that will not be enjoyable at all.Lastly, if you really like Chinese soup, check out Chinese Soups Recipes by my friend Phoebe in Singapore. Her recipes are tasty and authentic! And if you prefer to find a Chinese food recipe other than soup, try Dave's Busy Family Recipes site. He has some great ideas on making tasty meals quickly. Return from Sour Hot Soup to Clear Soups
|
