Wok This Way Homemade Hot Sour Soup Better Than Takeout
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a soup that's both comforting and packs a punch? Have you ever tried Chinese Style Hot and Sour ? Oh my gosh, it's a flavor explosion! This isn't just any soup; it's a hug in a bowl with a bit of a kick!
Brief Overview
Hot and Sour Soup , or Suan La Tang , originates from Northern China. It’s known for balancing spicy, sour, and savory flavors.
This recipe is a medium difficulty. It takes about 50 minutes and yields 4-6 servings. Perfect for a family dinner.
Main Benefits
This soup is packed with protein from the tofu and pork. It's a fantastic way to warm up on a cold evening.
This recipe is special because it’s so adaptable; you can easily adjust the spice level to your liking. It's a perfect Homemade Chinese Food .
Ready to dive in and make this magic?
Ingredients, Assemble!
Here's what you'll need to get started on your Hot and Sour Soup Recipe adventure. We're talking chicken broth, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots and more.
Don’t worry, it sounds like a lot. But once you have everything prepped, it comes together super quickly. I remember one time I forgot the wood ear mushrooms.
Honestly, the soup was still amazing!
The Broth: Key to Success
The base of any good Chinese Soup is the broth. Six cups of chicken broth is the base. I always prefer low sodium.
Trust me, it makes a difference! You control the saltiness. Then, we build in the depth of flavor with the mushroom soaking liquid.
Don’t throw that liquid away! It’s liquid gold! Also is the base for many Chinese Soups .
Let's Talk Ingredients & Equipment
Okay, bestie, let's dive into what you'll need to whip up this absolutely banging Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup.
Trust me, this Homemade Chinese Food is going to knock your socks off. Forget takeout!
Main Ingredients Deets
Here's the rundown, measurements and all.
- Chicken broth: 6 cups (1.4 liters) . Go for low sodium if you can.
- Dried shiitake mushrooms: 4 ounces (113g) . Soak 'em for 30 minutes in hot water, then slice. Don't toss the soaking liquid! We're using that later.
- Firm tofu: 4 ounces (113g) , drained and diced.
- Bamboo shoots: 2 ounces (57g) , sliced thinly.
- Wood ear mushrooms: 2 ounces (57g) , rehydrated (if dried) and sliced thinly.
- Shredded carrots: 1 cup (240ml) .
- Shredded pork tenderloin: 1/2 cup (120ml) , pre-cooked or thinly sliced raw.
- Lily flowers (optional): 2 ounces (57g) , rehydrated.
Now, about those shiitake mushrooms. Quality matters! You want ones that are plump and have a good, earthy smell. That soaking liquid is packed with flavour, so don't skip straining it! This Asian Soup Recipe it's just amazing!
Level Up Your Seasoning
Here's where the magic happens for your Hot And Sour Soup :
- Rice vinegar: 1/4 cup (60ml) .
- Soy sauce: 2-4 tablespoons (30-60ml) . Low sodium is your friend here too.
- Chili garlic sauce: 1-2 tablespoons (15-30ml) . Adjust to your spice level!
- Ground white pepper: 1 teaspoon (5ml) .
- Sesame oil: 1/2 teaspoon (2.5ml) .
- Ground ginger: 1/4 teaspoon (1.25ml) .
Honestly, the chili garlic sauce is key for that Spicy Chinese Soup kick. I love using sriracha sometimes if I'm out, but it's not quite the same.
For extra heat, add more chili garlic sauce! If you're after a Tofu Soup Recipe , make sure your tofu is super firm so it doesn't disintegrate in the soup.
Gear Up
Don't need a fancy kitchen, just a few basics:
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven: Seriously, essential!
- Cutting board & sharp knife: Obvs.
- Measuring cups and spoons: Get those quantities right!
- Whisk: For that cornstarch slurry.
No Dutch oven? A big stockpot works just fine. The secret to a great Hot and Sour Soup Recipe isn't fancy equipment, it's all about balancing those flavours.
Get ready to try out one of the best Chinese Soups right at home!.
Wok This Way! Making the Best Homemade Hot & Sour Soup
Honestly, who doesn't love a steaming bowl of Hot and Sour Soup ? It's the ultimate comfort food. Especially on a drizzly Tuesday evening, right? This isn't your average takeaway muck.
We're talking proper, authentic flavors that'll knock your socks off. Forget ordering in; let's make something amazing. Get your spoons ready because it's worth it.
I'm excited to share my secrets for a delicious Hot and Sour Soup Recipe with you!
Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Mission
First things first, let's get organised! You know what they say: Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. This is our essential "mise en place".
Soak 4 ounces of dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water (save that liquid, it’s liquid gold!). Dice 4 ounces of firm tofu and slice 2 ounces of bamboo shoots and 2 ounces of wood ear mushrooms thinly.
Shred 1 cup of carrots and 1/2 cup of pre-cooked pork tenderloin. If you have them, rehydrate 2 ounces lily flowers.
And remember: knife safety, folks!
Quick Tip
Remember to strain the mushroom soaking liquid. This prevents gritty soup.
Let's Get Cooking!
Here’s how to make this Easy Hot and Sour Soup , step-by-step:
- Mushroom Magic: Soak those shrooms, strain the liquid, and slice them up.
- Aromatic Boost (Optional): Sauté some minced ginger and garlic for extra flavour depth, if you're feeling fancy.
- Combine & Simmer: Add 6 cups of chicken broth, the mushroom broth, mushrooms, tofu, bamboo shoots, wood ear mushrooms, carrots, and pork to your pot. Simmer away.
- Flavor Bomb: Stir in 1/4 cup rice vinegar, 2-4 tablespoons soy sauce, 1-2 tablespoons chili garlic sauce (go easy at first!), 1 teaspoon white pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil. Taste it! Adjust the seasoning as needed. More heat? Add more chili garlic sauce. More tang? Add vinegar.
- Thickening Time: Whisk 4 tablespoons cornstarch with 1/4 cup cold water. Slowly pour the slurry into the soup, stirring until it thickens.
- Egg-cellent Finish: Gently drizzle 2 beaten eggs into the soup while stirring. You should see lovely strands forming right away.
- Garnish & Serve: Ladle into bowls and garnish with sliced green onions. This Chinese soup is ready to go.
- Enjoy this hearty and tasty Spicy Chinese Soup .
Hot Tips From My Kitchen
- Don’t rush the thickening: Keep stirring to avoid lumps!
- Taste, taste, taste! Your tongue is your best guide.
- To make this into a delicious Tofu Soup Recipe , load up on extra tofu and omit the pork.
And there you have it! My Homemade Chinese Food version of Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup. Hope you love it!
Recipe Notes for the Best Hot and Sour Soup
Okay, so you're ready to dive into this Hot and Sour Soup Recipe ? Brilliant! Before you get your wok on, let's chat about a few things to keep in mind.
These are little things I've picked up making this Chinese Soup a gazillion times.
Serving Suggestions: Slurp It Up!
Presentation matters, even for something as humble as Chinese Soups . For plating this beauty, I love using those wide, shallow bowls you see in restaurants.
You know? A sprinkle of extra green onions really makes it pop. Honestly, a drizzle of sesame oil is chef's kiss.
Thinking about sides? Keep it simple. Some steamed rice or spring rolls are perfect. Feeling fancy? A pot of jasmine tea is always a winner. This Spicy Chinese Soup is yummy!
Storage Tips: Keep It Fresh!
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This Hot And Sour Soup keeps well.
- Refrigeration: Pop it in an airtight container. It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Yeah, you can freeze it. But the texture of the tofu might change a bit. Freeze in individual portions for easy lunches.
- Reheating: Gently reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Give it a good stir before serving!
Variations: Make It Your Own!
Honestly, this recipe is just a starting point. Feel free to play around!
- Vegetarian? Swap the chicken broth for vegetable broth. More tofu is always a good idea in this Tofu Soup Recipe .
- Feeling adventurous? Some people add a dash of sriracha for extra heat.
- Seasonal swaps? In the autumn, I chuck in some sliced butternut squash. It's delish!
Nutrition Basics: Good For You!
Let's break down this Asian Soup Recipes nutrition quickly. Each serving is about 250 calories. You are getting 15g of protein and 20g of carbs.
Sodium is around 800mg. It is variable based on broth and soy sauce, so always check. This Homemade Chinese Food is packed with vitamins and minerals from all those veggies.
It's like a warm hug in a bowl! This Easy Hot and Sour Soup is both nutritious and delicious!
Alright, that's it! Now go forth and make some amazing Suan La Tang . Don't be scared to experiment and have fun.
You've got this! Enjoy your Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is making Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup at home difficult? It looks intimidating!
Not at all! While the ingredient list might seem long, the actual cooking process for this Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup is quite straightforward. Think of it like following a good Bake Off recipe - a bit of prep and attention to detail, but definitely achievable for the average home cook.
Once you've prepped your ingredients, it's mostly just simmering and adjusting flavors to your liking!
Can I make Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup vegetarian or vegan?
Absolutely! To make a vegetarian version, simply omit the pork tenderloin and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. For a vegan version, ensure your soy sauce doesn't contain any honey or animal products.
You can also add extra tofu, bean sprouts, or spinach for added protein and heartiness think of it like adding extra veggies to your Sunday roast!
How can I adjust the "hot" and "sour" levels in my Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup? I don't want it too spicy!
Adjusting the heat and sourness is key to a perfect bowl! Start with the smaller amounts of chili garlic sauce and rice vinegar suggested in the recipe. Taste as you go, adding more chili garlic sauce for heat or rice vinegar for tanginess, a little at a time.
Remember, you can always add more, but you can't easily take it away much like adding salt to your chips!
What's the best way to store leftover Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup? And how long will it last?
Leftover soup can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat it gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, ensuring it's heated through. The texture might change slightly after refrigeration, so you may need to add a splash of broth to loosen it up when reheating.
It's a bit like a good curry, tastes even better the next day!
Can I freeze Chinese Style Hot and Sour Soup?
Yes, you can freeze Hot and Sour Soup, but be aware that the texture of the tofu and the egg may change slightly upon thawing. Freeze in portion sized containers for up to 2-3 months. When thawing, do so in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat gently on the stovetop.
You might want to add fresh green onions after reheating for a bit of freshness.
Is Chinese Style Hot and Sour soup healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?
This soup can be a relatively healthy option, especially if you use low-sodium broth and soy sauce. It's packed with vegetables like mushrooms, carrots, and bamboo shoots, providing vitamins and fiber. Plus, the broth based nature of the soup makes it hydrating.
Be mindful of the sodium content, though, and adjust ingredients accordingly to fit your dietary needs a bit like choosing your fillings for a healthy sandwich!
Wok This Way Homemade Hot Sour Soup Better Than
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 250 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 10g |
| Fiber | 2g |
