Hot and Sour Soup

Adapted from https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/hot-and-sour-soup-recipe/

Servings: 6 - 8

INGREDIENTS

8 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
8 ounces shiitake mushrooms (or baby bella mushrooms), thinly-sliced with stems discarded
1 (8-ounce) can bamboo shoots, drained (optional)
1/4 cup  rice vinegar, or more to taste
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon  chili garlic sauce
1/4 cup cornstarch
2 large eggs, whisked
8 ounces firm tofu*, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
4 green onions, thinly sliced
1 teaspoon  toasted sesame oil
Kosher salt and white pepper (or black pepper)

STEPS

1) Set aside ¼ cup of the chicken or vegetable broth for later use.

2) Add the remaining 7 ¾ cups chicken or vegetable broth, mushrooms, bamboo shoots (if using), rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, ginger and chili garlic sauce to a large stock pot, and stir to combine.  Heat over medium-high heat until the soup reaches a simmer.

3) While the soup is heating, whisk together the ¼ cup of broth (that you had set aside) and cornstarch in a small bowl until completely smooth.  Once the soup has reached a simmer, stir in the cornstarch mixture and stir for 1 minute or so until the soup has thickened.

4) Continue stirring the soup in a circular motion, then drizzle in the eggs in a thin stream (while still stirring the soup) to create egg ribbons.  Stir in the tofu, half of the green onions, and sesame oil.  Then season the soup with salt and a pinch* of white pepper (or black pepper) to taste.  If you’d like a more “sour” soup, feel free to add in another tablespoon or two of rice wine vinegar as well.  Or if you’d like a spicier soup, add in more chili garlic sauce.

5) Serve immediately, garnished with the extra green onions.