Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey to Szechuan province, China, where the iconic Hot and Sour Soup reigns supreme. This beloved dish is a symphony of flavors and textures, expertly balancing the fiery heat of chili peppers with the tangy embrace of vinegar. Dive into the depths of this flavorful broth, teeming with tender bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, and the delicate crunch of bean sprouts.
In this comprehensive guide, we present a trio of Hot and Sour Soup recipes, each offering a unique twist on this classic dish. The first recipe stays true to tradition, capturing the essence of authentic Szechuan flavors. The second recipe introduces a vegetarian variation, catering to those with dietary preferences or seeking a lighter option. Last but not least, the third recipe adds a touch of modern flair, incorporating the vibrant colors and bold flavors of bell peppers.
Whether you're a seasoned chef or a culinary novice, these recipes will empower you to recreate this cherished soup in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, gather your ingredients, ignite your stove, and embark on a culinary adventure that will leave your taste buds craving more.
HOT AND SOUR SOUP (酸辣汤)
Chinese restaurant-style hot and sour soup made easy! The hearty, spicy, sour broth is loaded with mushrooms, silky eggs, and tofu. I've included lots of notes so you can tweak the recipe with the ingredients you have on hand, plus how to make this dish vegetarian. {Vegetarian adaptable}
Provided by Maggie Zhu
Categories Soup
Time 30m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Gently rinse dried shiitake mushrooms, dried wood ear mushrooms, and lily flowers with tap water. Soak each of them with 1.5 to 2 cups warm water in three big bowls. Rehydrate for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until tender. Slice mushrooms into strips. Snip off the tough ends of lily flowers and discard. Remove tough ends of wood ear mushrooms, then chop into bite-sized pieces. Reserve the marinating water from lily flower and shiitake mushrooms, 2 cups in total
- Combine pork, Shaoxing wine, salt and cornstarch in a bowl. Mix well by hand. Marinate for 10 - 15 minutes.
- Add Chinkiang vinegar and white pepper into a small bowl. Mix well until the white pepper is completely dissolved.
- Add water or chicken stock, ginger, and green onion into a pot and heat over medium-high heat. If you reserved the marinating liquid from step one, you can add it plus 4 cups water or chicken stock.
- Add rehydrated wood ear mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, lily flowers, and tofu to the pot. Cook until bringing to a simmer. Add soy sauce and turn to medium-low heat.
- Mix the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water in a bowl until cornstarch is fully dissolved. Slowly swirl the cornstarch slurry into the soup. Stir to thicken the soup.
- Add the pork from step one into the soup, stirring several times to prevent the pork strips from sticking together. Add the salt. Slowly swirl in the beaten egg and stir well. The egg should be scattered and not clotted.
- Remove the pot from stove. Add the vinegar and pepper mixture and stir to mix well.
- Garnish with cilantro and drizzle with sesame oil. Give it a final stir. Taste the soup and add more salt if needed.
- Serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 216 kcal, Carbohydrate 9.1 g, Protein 19.9 g, Fat 11.1 g, SaturatedFat 3.3 g, Cholesterol 112 mg, Sodium 883 mg, Fiber 1.3 g, Sugar 1.6 g
HOMEMADE HOT AND SOUR SOUP
Very easy-to-make hot and sour soup.
Provided by Kevin
Categories Side Dish
Time 40m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Bring chicken broth to a simmer in a 2-quart saucepan. Add mushrooms, chicken, soy sauce, chile paste, and garlic. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add tofu, bamboo shoots, vinegar, and white pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes more.
- Combine water and cornstarch in a cup; stir until smooth. Add mixture to the soup and stir well. Let simmer until soup thickens, about 5 minutes more.
- Beat egg in a cup and slowly pour, in a fine stream, into the soup. Stir well and heat through for 30 seconds. Mix in green onions and sesame oil. Remove from heat; serve hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 122.2 calories, Carbohydrate 10.3 g, Cholesterol 59.4 mg, Fat 5.8 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 8.2 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 1900.8 mg, Sugar 2.9 g
HOT AND SOUR SHRIMP SOUP
Garnish with fresh basil, if desired. Try using straw mushrooms in place of regular mushrooms. Break the noodles in half before cooking.
Provided by Kathleen Burton
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Seafood Shrimp Soup
Time 40m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Cook mushrooms and garlic in oil until soft (do not brown). Stir in tomato, pineapple, celery and sugar and cook until tomatoes begin to soften. Stir in chicken broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and stir in lime juice and soy sauce; simmer 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp and red pepper and simmer 3 minutes more, until shrimp are pink. Stir in bean sprouts, onion and reserved noodles. Heat through and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 197.1 calories, Carbohydrate 23.7 g, Cholesterol 131.1 mg, Fat 4.3 g, Fiber 1.6 g, Protein 16.2 g, SaturatedFat 0.7 g, Sodium 996.4 mg, Sugar 9.1 g
Tips:
- Prep Ingredients in Advance: Before you start cooking, wash and chop all the vegetables and have the other ingredients ready to go. This will help you save time and make the cooking process smoother.
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh ingredients, especially vegetables, will give your soup the best flavor. If possible, buy organic produce.
- Don't Overcook the Vegetables: The vegetables in hot and sour soup should be tender but still have a little bit of crunch. Overcooking will make them mushy.
- Adjust the Spice Level to Your Taste: If you like spicy food, you can add more chili peppers or chili paste to the soup. If you prefer a milder soup, you can reduce the amount of chili or omit it altogether.
- Serve Hot: Hot and sour soup is best served hot. You can garnish it with chopped green onions, cilantro, or chili peppers.
Conclusion:
Hot and sour soup is a delicious and easy-to-make soup that is perfect for a quick and healthy meal. With its spicy and sour flavors, it is a great way to warm up on a cold day. Whether you are looking for a traditional Chinese soup or a new and exciting recipe, hot and sour soup is a great choice. So, gather your ingredients and give this recipe a try today!
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