Hot & Sour Soup
50 comments »
Dear Husband,
I recognize that we have no direct relation to China, but I’ve decided we should nonetheless eat family dinners with chopsticks. Chopsticks make food taste better. Seeing as how I’ve grown tired of wiping crumbs off the kitchen table and the floor after each meal, I’d also like to petition your thoughts about the fam just kicking it cross-legged on the floor for meals.
If you could reply with your thoughts immediately, I might be willing to hang that Michael Jordan poster in the bedroom, after all.
XieXie,
Me
P.S. I know we have no direct relation to the rap industry either, but I’ve decided it would be way awesome if you would start referring to me as ‘shawty.’ I could totally dig that forever. Peace out, Zhangfu.
Absolutely Amazing Hot and Sour Soup
Ready to beat away that autumn chill? This simple soup will have you warm and toasty in no time at all. Who'dve guessed it would be so easy to make a big bowl of tastes-like-a-restaurant hot and sour soup. Sure enough, this recipe requires only a few specialty ingredients, but not so special that you'll have to toss yourself in a car and drive to the Asian market. Shitake mushrooms are available now at most grocery stores, as are sesame oil and Srichaha chili sauce. If you can't find any of these three items, no worries. The soup is still wondrously grand without them. But for that extra special flavor, it's worth hunting them down for your pot of soup.
Ingredients:
1/4 pound pork, thinly sliced into strips
2 teaspoons sesame oil
28 ounces chicken broth
3 tablespoons white vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/2 cup firm tofu, cut into small cubes
1 red pepper, julienned
1 (8 oz.) can bamboo shoots
1/2 cup shitake mushrooms, sliced thin
1 egg
1 teaspoon sesame oil
dash of Srichaha chili sauce (optional)
3 green onionsDirections:
In a large pot, heat 1 teaspoon of the sesame oil over medium-high heat and stir-fry the pork in the oil until well cooked. Whisk the cornstarch into the broth, then add the broth, vinegar, and soy sauce to the pot. Simmer over meadium-high heat until the liquid is steaming hot. Stir in the tofu, red pepper, bamboo shoots, and mushrooms. Whisk the egg until well beaten. When the pot of soup is just beginning to boil, pour the beaten egg slowly into the soup, stirring it carefully to form strands. Stir in oil, chili sauce, and green onions. Allow to cook a minute more, then serve immediately.
For a fun & easy garnish: cut wonton wrappers into tiny triangles. Fry them in oil until browned. Sprinkle on top of soup before serving.
subscribe to
email updates
Follow Me on
Like Me on
The P*dunc's on October 19, 2010 at 11:15 pm
cream cheese and crab wantons dipped in sweet and sour sauce….do you think "Lucky 5" delivers this late?
connie k. on October 19, 2010 at 11:24 pm
I would have to say that my favorite food to eat with chopsticks would be my grandmother's steamed spareribs. She marinates the pork in soy sauce, hoisin sauce, garlic and white pepper. She steams the whole mixture and adds fermented black beans. I grew up eating this, I loved to pour the meat juices over white rice. Must have been my favorite meals as a kid :-)
Anonymous on October 19, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Thanks for good article. Hope to see more soon. . . . .
Joseph's Grainery Recipes on October 19, 2010 at 11:39 pm
I know it's so un-original and probably not even true Chinese, but I love General Tsoas Chicken with fried rice.
frankie on October 20, 2010 at 12:22 am
HAHAHA so funny that I had to comment! best post/story/letter to husband ever!
Becky on October 20, 2010 at 12:23 am
I love mushu (sp). My finance talked me into getting it a few months ago and it was pretty good. This last weekend I had my parents try it and they liked it. It can be eaten with pork, shrimp, beef, or chicken.
screwdestiny on October 20, 2010 at 2:54 am
I can't eat Chinese food without chopsticks. It just feels wrong!
My favorite Chinese food is chicken and broccoli. It's probably not actually Chinese, but whatev.
Buttercup on October 20, 2010 at 3:25 am
Actually, I'm a big fan of hot and sour soup, but my favorites are all sorts of dim sum.
Catherine Cazier on October 20, 2010 at 3:47 am
Just wanted to tell you I love reading your blog. Don't need the chopsticks they are way cute but already have some for each member for the family. I currently live in Beijing and I love the Chom Yo Bing my Ayi makes for the kids after school snack!
Jen on October 20, 2010 at 5:55 am
I honestly didn't start eating Chinese food until I had a Chinese Boyfriend. He helps me try the new stuff out. He has a good guess what I'll like after almost 8 years :)
When I go out alone I'm unadventurous and enjoy just a simple Sweet & Sour Chicken.
When I go out with him we usually get something more out of my comfort zone. I do like sticky pork buns and Taro Root (not together)
Kathy on October 20, 2010 at 6:53 am
I love Spicy Shrimp Lo Mein and Mongolian Beef from our local chinese hole-in-the-wall takeout restaurant! I have a hard time using chopsticks, so those holders would be perfect "training wheels" for me! :)
Christine on October 20, 2010 at 7:14 am
I like the simple stuff like Cashew Chicken or Sweet and Sour Chicken. I need those training wheel chopsticks as I just can't seem to grasp the concept of chopsticks and have to use a fork to eat my chinese food.
Mom24 on October 20, 2010 at 7:20 am
Well, right now I'm craving orange chicken.
Gaspegirl on October 20, 2010 at 7:23 am
Shanghai Chow Mein… nice and hot and yummy (so not in my diet) noodles! Mmmmmm
I think that I would need the little kiddies to help me eat with chopsticks… maybe you could just send me a tutorial ;)
Make it a great day!
mangiabella on October 20, 2010 at 7:26 am
LOVE it! Hey they DO call me SHAWTY…but probably has more to do with the fact that I'm 5'0" tall rather than my gangsta-ness – ha!
Becca Jo on October 20, 2010 at 7:40 am
my favorite is hand made sushi. We make a family party out or it and have sushi coming out of our ears. YUM
Christy on October 20, 2010 at 8:05 am
My favorite is those little crab meat and cream cheese wontons!!
Sean and Janet Eyring on October 20, 2010 at 8:43 am
Lemon chicken, and lo mein noodles with lots of bamboo shoots!
amyp on October 20, 2010 at 10:25 am
I love hot & spicy chicken, hot & sour soup and General Tso Chicken.
I must tell you, I tried your Chicken Enchiladas with Pumpkin Cream Sauce and they were so good! Even my little boys & husband liked them! Thanks!! And I love your blog, great recipes!! Love the chop stick holders, so cute!!
Krystal on October 20, 2010 at 11:16 am
Mongolian Beef and orange chicken are my two top faves…I could go crazy eating for Chinese food. But those are always on my order list whenever we eat out.
Karly on October 20, 2010 at 11:30 am
Sadly, I've never eaten with chopsticks. I was just practicing while playing Pick Up Sticks with my daughter though. It's probably a good thing we use forks and spoons around these parts. ;)
Debby Kaye on October 20, 2010 at 12:43 pm
Oh how I love Chinese food! Your soup looks divine.
I love all Lo Mein dishes and someone always orders Sesame Chicken! Yum! My twins would go wild over those chopstick kids, too cute!
Staci on October 20, 2010 at 1:17 pm
Your soup looks amazing! It's so boring, but I love sweet and sour chicken. Yum!
Mary on October 20, 2010 at 2:57 pm
LOVE Chicken Lo Mein and Chicken w/ Snow Peas!!!! YUMMY!! e
Alessa on October 20, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Salted fish and chicken fried rice!!!
Marci on October 20, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Chow Mein… or orange chicken… Not to adventurous am I? haha… Love the chopstick holders though. :)
DanaS on October 20, 2010 at 4:52 pm
I love vegetarian hot and sour soup so much! It is my non-momma-cooked comfort food! Your version looks easy to veganize though!
Amy on October 20, 2010 at 5:11 pm
I made this tonight. It was DELICIOUS! Thanks so much for the recipe – I will definitely make this again.
Ashley on October 20, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I love crab rangoon- no water chesnuts, please!
marla {family fresh cooking} on October 20, 2010 at 5:32 pm
My favorite Chinese dish is Chicken with Black bean sauce, but I will say hot and sour soup to win those adorable chopstick holders! Your soup looks great!
Melanie on October 20, 2010 at 5:47 pm
My favorite dish is Beijing Beef.
Those chopstick holders are adorable! It's funny I cannot remember exactly how I learned to use chopsticks, but I recall elastic bands being used in some way.
Anonymous on October 20, 2010 at 9:00 pm
I crave any spicy chinese food,specailly Pei Wei – dynamite shrimp or orange chicken.
Tracy on October 20, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Either Velvet Corn Soup or Cha Siew Bow (Steamed Bun with pork filling). Unfortunately chop sticks are not used for either.
Amy-Sue and Gian Del Bello on October 20, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I love those chopstick holders! Maybe I could talk my girls into eating more Chinese food with those! I personally am a sucker for Lo Mein noodles…plain and simple!
John McLay on October 20, 2010 at 10:57 pm
Dear Shawty,
Shawty sounds like a swear word (even when you say it with your Justin Bieber accent).I feel as if, even in writing it, I may have done something inappropriate.
However, for you, my dear, I would do anything. I might even try to eat with chopsticks (though I will likely need wo use the Chopstick Kids holders). I think my favorite thing to eat with them will be popcorn or cinnamon bears.
As for the Michael Jordan poster, I'm over that. How about a flat screen TV instead? :)
Love,
Your Husband
P.S. You're the best.
Karen H. on October 21, 2010 at 8:17 am
I'm chinese and grew up eating "traditional" chinese home cooking… but the Honey Walnut Prawns and Extra Spicy Mongolian Beef is what really makes me happy! So do those chopstick holders. Love those! And definitely know a few people that could use them. I'm definitely passing those on to a friend if i'm picked. : )
Thanks!
Jennifer (Savor) on October 21, 2010 at 8:42 am
Our favorite chinese food is Orange Chicken miss SHAWTY!
Club Jolley on October 21, 2010 at 9:47 am
Your blog inspires me. :) I hope I win this time!
Anonymous on October 21, 2010 at 2:17 pm
Anything with teriyaki…or is that Japanese?
Melissa
Valeria on October 21, 2010 at 3:02 pm
wonton soup (but wontons are filled with smoked pork) so delicious.
Jennifer on October 21, 2010 at 6:20 pm
I just found your website today-love it! I could never pick a favorite because I love it all. My daughters will eat anything if they get to use chopsticks, so I know these would be a big hit in our house! Thanks!
Robyn on October 21, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Is it even possible to choose only one favorite Chinese dish? I love egg rolls, sweet and sour chicken, wontons, oh I could go on and on. Now I want to eat some Chinese.
Barbara Bakes on October 21, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Your soup is definitely mouthwatering. I'm usually a kung pao girl.
Mary on October 21, 2010 at 11:02 pm
Umm yummm!!! That sounds a looks divine!!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
Amy on October 22, 2010 at 8:42 am
Not Chinese, but bulgogi does it for me. So good!
The Ousted Princess on October 22, 2010 at 1:43 pm
Chow mein, definitely!
Cynthia on October 23, 2010 at 7:37 pm
anything spicey! I tend to order Kung Pao Chicken or Generals Chicken…now, I am hungry :)
Teresa on October 23, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Mmmmmmmm. Chinese food. It's difficult to choose just one favorite! I guess it would have to be Almond Chicken. Love the crunchy veggies and almonds with savory chicken. Yum!
Krista B. on October 24, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Hot and Spicy Chicken – my girls call it "Cheetah chicken" because they think they can run fast like cheetahs after eating it, lol!
Megs on October 27, 2010 at 4:34 pm
So not authentic Chinese and yet so good – we love sesame chicken. Especially when it comes with broccoli and a side of lo mein. Yum!