China Hunan Hot and Sour Soup 酸辣汤

This hot and sour soup recipe comes from the Hunan cuisine, also called Xiang cuisine. Hunan cuisine is noted for its pungency, due to the generous use of spices, especially chili, which is used in nearly every dish. Along with the spiciness, they are also known for a tanginess. This dish highlights both of those aspects beautifully! Note that all the ingredients listed, which you may not have heard of, are available in most Asian markets.

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China Hunan Hot and Sour Soup 酸辣汤

Course Soup

Cuisine China

Prep Time 25 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 1 hour

Servings 4

Author International Cuisine

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried lily buds day lilies
• 1/2 cup dried mushroom "wood ears" or "tree ears"
• 1/2 lb firm tofu julienned (this will usually be 1 block or cake of tofu)
• 3/4 cup pork finely julienned (chicken can be used instead of pork if desired)
• 2 eggs lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoot julienned (canned or fresh)
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup water
• 5 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 5 ounces soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
• 1 teaspoon white pepper ground
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons scallions finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons gingerroot finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

Instructions

• Clean the dried day lilies, soak them in warm water for about 20 minutes. Cut off the hard, tough tip of the stem and then cut the day lilies in half lengthwise.
• Clean and soak the wood ear mushrooms in warm water for about 20 minutes, then cut into small pieces.
• Bring the chicken broth to a boil and then add the pork, skimming the surface of any fat. Cook the pork for 3-4 minutes, until the broth comes to a boil again.
• Add the tofu, mushroom pieces, bamboo shoots, and day lilies.
• Let the pot return to a boil, then reduce heat to maintain a low boil.
• Add the soy sauce, spices, vinegar, salt and sugar.
• Taste the soup, adjusting the vinegar (you may need to modify up or down by an ounce) for the "sour" and salt for balance.
• Mix the corn starch and water to create a paste for thickening.
• Add the corn starch mixture slowly, stirring constantly.
• Drizzle the beaten eggs in slowly while stirring, so that you get "strings" of egg.
• Turn off the heat.
• Ladle the soup into bowls, then garnish with 1/2 tsp of scallion per bowl and a drizzle of sesame oil.