Hot and Sour Soup

Guide Note

Hot and Sour soup is a popular Chinese soup, made with a variety of ingredients. Hot and sour soup is traditionally made without meat making it a good option for a vegetarian dish.

Fast Facts

1. Many variations
2. Makes a great vegetarian soup
3. Known as Tom yum in Thai cooking
4. Day lily buds are often added to this soup
5. Made hot with chili peppers and sour with vinegar

Hot and sour soup can be made with any or all of these ingredients. There are many variations of this dish. Adding more or less of one ingredient will still result in a tasty dish.

• Chicken
• Pork
• Shrimp
• Shiitake Mushroom
• Bamboo shoots
• Tofu
• Egg
• Chives
• Sesame Oil
• Sugar
• Chili Peppers
• Soy Sauce
• cornstarch
• Chicken or beef broth
• Season to taste

1. In a large pot combine broth and vegetables of choice.
2. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 10 minutes.
3. Add vinegar, and pre-cooked chicken, pork and/or shrimp.
4. Simmer for 1 or 2 minutes longer.
5. Mix cornstarch with 1/4 cup water, stir into soup.
6. Simmer until mixture is slightly thickened.
7. Slowly add 1 or 2 beaten eggs in a continuous light stream while soup is boiling.
8. Continue stirring until egg is cooked and looks like threads throughout the soup.
9. Serve with crunchy noodles and a dash of soy sauce.

1. Mushrooms, bamboo shoots and tofu add little or no flavor, they are primarily added for texture.
2. Add vinegar slowing and taste before adding more. Vinegars vary greatly, and adding to much will ruin the dish.
3. For extra heat, add more chili pepper or chili paste.
4. For extra sweet, add more sugar mixed with soy sauce.