Hot and Sour Soup (酸辣汤)
Tian
About Hot And Sour Soup AKA Peking Soup
Contrary to the name 'Peking soup' seen in some restaurants outside of China, in traditional Chinese cuisine this dish goes by the name of 'Hot and Sour Soup' or 酸辣汤. This soup is a beloved concoction known for its tangy and spicy flavor profile, making it a perfect hearty soup for winter. Interestingly, the spiceness of this dish does not stem from chili peppers, but rather from white pepper, a common yet conceiled spice. It’s notably easy to prepare and rich in flavor.
How to Make Hot And Sour Soup
Ingredients
- Green onion
- Fresh tomatoes (2)
- Soft or medium-firm Tofu (300g / about 10.5 ounces)
- Liver sausage slices (50g / about 1.75 ounces)
- Carrot sticks (50g / about 1.75 ounces)
- Egg
- King oyster mushrooms (2)
Sauce
- Soy sauce
- White Pepper
- Salt
- Oil
- Vinegar
- Cornstarch
Cooking Instructions
- Base Preparation: Finely mince green onion. Dice tomatoes, and shred tofu, liver sausage slices, and king oyster mushrooms. Whisk the egg in a bowl.
- Sauce Preparation: Mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 150ml (about 2/3 cup) of water until well combined.
- Add Tomatoes: Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a pan and add diced tomatoes. Stir fry for about 30 seconds.
- Add Water: Add 700ml (3 cups) of boiled water to the pan.
- Add Other Ingredients: Add king oyster mushrooms, carrots, liver sausage slices, and tofu. Cook for about 3 minutes.
- Season: Add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of white pepper.
- Thicken Up: Slowly pour the cornstarch slurry into the soup, stirring continuously to avoid lumps, and let it simmer for about 1 minute to thicken.
- Combine: Drizzle the beaten egg into the soup, gently stirring in one direction to form egg ribbons. Finish with chopped green onions.
Enjoy!
The authentic sourness in this soup is achieved with rice vinegar and a touch of tomatoes, with white pepper bringing in the desired kick of spiciness. Adjust the vinegar and white pepper to taste, and savor this delightful, easy-to-make winter soup!
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