Chinese Hot-and-Sour Soup

Ingredients for Chinese Hot-and-Sour Soup

• 140g boneless pork loin, cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips (160ml )

• 2 teaspoons dark soy sauce*

• 4 small Chinese dried black mushrooms*

• 12 small dried tree ear mushrooms*

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cornflour

• 12 dried lily buds* (sometimes called golden needles)

• 120ml canned sliced bamboo shoots*, cut lengthwise into 1/8-inch-wide strips (from an 230g can)

• 2 tablespoons red-wine vinegar

• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar (not seasoned)

• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce*

• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon kosher salt

• 2 tablespoons peanut oil

• 950ml reduced-sodium chicken broth

• 3 to 110g firm tofu (about a quarter of a block), rinsed and drained, then cut into 1/4-inch-thick strips

• 2 large eggs

• 2 teaspoons Asian sesame oil*

• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground white pepper

• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced spring onion greens

• 2 tablespoons fresh whole coriander leaves

• *Available at Asian foods markets, Uwajimaya (800-889-1928), and Kam Man Food Products Inc. (212-571-0330).

How to make Chinese Hot-and-Sour Soup

Toss pork with dark soy sauce in a bowl until pork is well coated.

Soak black and tree ear mushrooms in 725ml boiling-hot water in another bowl (water should cover mushrooms), turning over black mushrooms occasionally, until softened, about 30 minutes. (Tree ears will expand significantly.) Cut out and discard stems from black mushrooms, then squeeze excess liquid from caps into bowl and thinly slice caps. Remove tree ears from bowl, reserving liquid, and trim off any hard nubs. If large, cut tree ears into bite-size pieces. Stir together 60ml mushroom-soaking liquid (discard remainder) with cornflour in a small bowl and set aside.

Meanwhile, soak lily buds in about 240ml warm water until softened, about 20 minutes, then drain. Trim off tough tips of lily buds. Cut lily buds in half crosswise, then tear each half lengthwise into 2 or 3 shreds.

Cover bamboo shoots with cold water by 2 inches in a small saucepan, then bring just to a boil (to remove bitterness) and drain in a sieve.

Stir together vinegars, light soy sauce, sugar, and salt in another small bowl.

Heat a wok over high heat until a bead of water vaporizes within 1 to 2 seconds of contact. Pour peanut oil down side of wok, then swirl oil, tilting wok to coat sides. Add pork and stir-fry until meat just changes colour, about 1 minute, then add black mushrooms, tree ears, lily buds, and bamboo shoots and stir-fry 1 minute.

Add broth and bring to a boil, then add tofu. Return to a boil and add vinegar mixture. Stir cornflour mixture, then add to broth and return to a boil, stirring. (Liquid will thicken.) Reduce heat to moderate and simmer 1 minute.

Beat eggs with a fork and add a few drops of sesame oil. Add eggs to soup in a thin stream, stirring slowly in one direction with a spoon. Stir in white pepper, then drizzle in remaining sesame oil and divide among 6 to 8 bowls. Sprinkle with spring onions and coriander before serving.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.