Loaf and PsalmA journal from an improving homemaker

Chinese · Autumn and winter

Hot and Sour Soup

Broth, mushroom, tofu, vinegar, and white pepper, with an egg trailed in at the end. Thick enough to see, not thick enough to stand a spoon. No oil.

25 minutes · Serves 6 · About 8 cups

A bowl of hot and sour soup with tofu, mushroom, and egg ribbons

“You open your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

Psalm 145:16

Ingredients

  • 6 cups chicken broth
  • 1 tsp ginger, grated
  • 4 oz shiitake or other mushrooms, sliced
  • 8 oz firm tofu, cut into small cubes
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 3 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • ½ tsp white pepper, plus more to taste
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 2 scallions, sliced

Method

Making Hot and Sour Soup: Bring the broth and ginger to a simmer. Add the mushrooms and tofu. Simmer 5 minutes.
Bring the broth and ginger to a simmer. Add the mushrooms and tofu. Simmer 5 minutes.
Making Hot and Sour Soup: Take the pot off a hard boil. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, and white pepper. Taste. It should be sour…
Take the pot off a hard boil. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, and white pepper. Taste. It should be sour…
  1. 1

    Bring the broth and ginger to a simmer. Add the mushrooms and tofu. Simmer 5 minutes.

  2. 2

    Stir the cornstarch and water. Pour it into the soup while you stir. Simmer 1 minute, until the broth is silky and still loose. If it coats a spoon like gravy, you have gone too far. Add a splash of broth.

  3. 3

    Take the pot off a hard boil. Stir in the vinegar, soy sauce, and white pepper. Taste. It should be sour and warm with pepper. Add vinegar or pepper a little at a time. You can add more. You cannot take it out.

  4. 4

    Stir the soup in a circle and trail in the eggs. Wait 10 seconds, then stir once so they set in ribbons, not crumbs. Scallions. Serve. The vinegar dulls if the soup sits, so taste again if you reheat it and add a splash.

From the kitchen

  • White pepper is the heat. Black pepper is a different soup. If you only have black, use less and expect it to taste sharper.
  • Bamboo shoots belong here if you have them. Rinse them and add them with the mushrooms. They are not required.

My note

Kept on this device, beside the recipe, for the next time you cook it.

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