Home-Style Hot and Sour Soup

Steps

1. 1

   Step 1

   

   Prep all the ingredients: soak the wood ear mushrooms until rehydrated and slice them, peel the tomato and cut into small chunks, cut the tofu into small cubes, shred the carrot and ham, slice the shiitake mushrooms, tear the enoki mushrooms into small pieces, cut the bird's eye chilies into segments, and slice the garlic. Set everything aside.

   ✅ Done when: All ingredients are chopped, soaked, and arranged ready to cook.

2. 2

   Step 2

   

   Make the seasoning sauce: combine 1 spoon light soy sauce, 2 spoons vinegar, 1/2 spoon sugar, 1 spoon oyster sauce, and a little white pepper.

   ✅ Done when: The sauce ingredients are stirred together into a uniform mixture.

3. 3

   Step 3

   Medium heatAromatic blooming (bao xiang) ↗
   

   Heat oil in a pot, add the bird's eye chilies and garlic, and stir-fry until fragrant, then add the tomato.

   ✅ Done when: The chilies and garlic smell aromatic, and the tomato has been added to the pot.

4. 4

   Step 4

   Low heatStir-frying ↗
   

   Stir-fry over low heat until the tomato breaks down and turns mushy, then add an appropriate amount of water.

   ✅ Done when: The tomato has softened into a pulpy, saucy texture.

5. 5

   Step 5

   Simmering (dun) ↗
   

   Once the water boils, add all the prepared ingredients and the seasoning sauce.

   ✅ Done when: The water is at a rolling boil and all ingredients are in the pot.

6. 6

   Step 64 min

   Medium heatSimmering (dun) ↗
   

   After the water comes back to a boil, continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes (beat the eggs meanwhile).

   ✅ Done when: The soup has simmered for 3 to 5 minutes and the eggs are beaten.

7. 7

   Step 7

   Egg-drop finishing ↗
   

   Pour in the beaten egg.

   ✅ Done when: The egg has been streamed into the soup and sets into ribbons.

8. 8

   Step 8

   Starch thickening (gou qian) ↗
   

   Add the starch slurry to thicken the soup (mix an appropriate amount of starch with a little water until smooth).

   ✅ Done when: The soup has thickened to a slightly viscous, glossy consistency.

9. 9

   Step 9

   

   Add the cilantro and sesame oil, stir evenly, and it's ready to serve.

   ✅ Done when: The cilantro and sesame oil are evenly incorporated throughout the soup.

10. 10

    Step 10

    

    A bowl of nourishing, appetite-awakening hot and sour soup is done — light enough to enjoy even on a diet!

    ✅ Done when: The finished hot and sour soup is ladled into a bowl and ready to eat.