HOT AND SOUR SOUP

Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:

• 8 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1 cup shredded cooked chicken (optional)
• 1 cup tofu, diced
• 1/2 cup wood ear mushrooms, soaked and sliced
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots, sliced
• 1/4 cup rice vinegar
• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch, dissolved in 1/4 cup water
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Salt and white pepper to taste
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

Preparation:

1. Soak Wood Ear Mushrooms: Place the wood ear mushrooms in warm water and let them soak for about 15-20 minutes until they become soft. Once soft, slice them into thin strips.
2. Prepare Ingredients: Shred the cooked chicken if using, dice the tofu, slice the bamboo shoots, and chop the green onions.

Cooking:

1. Bring Broth to a Boil: In a large pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil over medium-high heat.
2. Add Ingredients: Add the shredded chicken (if using), tofu, wood ear mushrooms, and bamboo shoots to the boiling broth. Simmer for 5-7 minutes until the ingredients are heated through.
3. Season the Soup: Stir in the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, salt, and white pepper. Adjust the seasoning according to your taste.
4. Thicken the Soup: Slowly pour in the cornstarch mixture, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Allow the soup to simmer for an additional 5 minutes until it thickens slightly.
5. Add Beaten Eggs: While stirring the soup in a circular motion, slowly pour in the beaten eggs. This will create silky egg ribbons in the soup. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Serving:

1. Garnish and Serve: Ladle the hot and sour soup into bowls. Garnish with sliced green onions and chopped cilantro.
2. Enjoy: Serve the hot and sour soup hot and enjoy the comforting flavors.

Nutrition (per serving):

• Calories: 180 kcal
• Protein: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 10g
• Fat: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 800mg

Note: Nutrition information is approximate and may vary based on specific ingredients used. Adjust quantities to meet dietary preferences and restrictions.