Savory Low Carb Hot & Sour Soup
Indulge in this delightful Savory Low Carb Hot & Sour Soup, a perfect harmony of flavors that brings the essence of Chinese cuisine to your kitchen. This soothing soup combines the rich umami of mushrooms, the crunch of bamboo shoots and water chestnuts, and a tantalizing kick from chili-garlic sauce and white pepper. Not only is it low in carbs, but it is also packed with protein thanks to the tofu. Perfect as a light meal or an appetizer, this soup is sure to impress both family and friends. Quick and easy to prepare, you'll have a warming bowl of comfort ready in no time.
N/A
Servings
120
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken broth
4 (14 1/2 ounce cans)
fresh white button mushrooms
6 (sliced)
chili-garlic sauce
1 (tablespoon)
soy sauce
2 (tablespoons)
white pepper
3/4 (teaspoon)
cornstarch
1 (tablespoon mixed with 5 tablespoons of water)
sliced bamboo shoots
1 (8 ounce can, drained)
sliced water chestnuts
1 (8 ounce can, drained)
dried shiitake mushroom caps
8 (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes, squeezed dry, and sliced)
silken tofu or extra firm tofu
16 (ounces, diced and drained)
rice wine vinegar
1/4 (cup, or regular white vinegar)
sesame oil
1 (teaspoon)
Instructions
1
In a large Dutch oven, add the chicken broth, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and both fresh and dried mushrooms.
2
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat and then reduce to a simmer. Allow it to simmer for 10 minutes, letting the flavors meld together.
3
Stir in the drained bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, diced tofu, white pepper, and sesame oil. Then, add the cornstarch mixture to the soup, stirring well to combine.
4
Continue to simmer the soup for another 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until everything is heated through and the soup has thickened slightly.
5
Adjust taste with more soy sauce or vinegar if desired, then serve hot, garnished with sliced green onions if you like.
Nutrition Information
5.5
Fat
7.5
Carbs
9
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the calorie count for this soup?
Each serving contains approximately 120 calories.
Is this Hot and Sour soup low in carbohydrates?
Yes, it is specifically designed to be low carb, containing 7.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
How much protein does this soup provide?
This soup provides 9 grams of protein per serving, largely thanks to the tofu.
What type of tofu should I use?
You can use either silken tofu or extra firm tofu depending on your texture preference.
How do I prepare the dried shiitake mushrooms?
Soak them in hot water for 30 minutes, squeeze them dry, and then slice them before adding to the soup.
What gives the soup its spicy kick?
The heat comes from a combination of chili-garlic sauce and white pepper.
Can I use regular vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar?
Yes, regular white vinegar is a perfectly acceptable substitute for rice wine vinegar.
What kind of mushrooms are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses both fresh white button mushrooms and dried shiitake mushroom caps.
How do I thicken the soup?
A mixture of one tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with five tablespoons of water is used to thicken the broth.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 5.5 grams of fat per serving.
What is the total number of ingredients needed?
The recipe requires 12 specific ingredients.
Is this soup suitable as an appetizer?
Yes, it is perfect as either a light meal or a traditional Chinese-style appetizer.
What size cans of chicken broth are required?
You will need four 14 1/2 ounce cans of chicken broth.
How long should the broth and mushrooms simmer initially?
They should be brought to a boil and then simmered for 10 minutes.
Are bamboo shoots included in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe calls for one 8-ounce can of drained, sliced bamboo shoots.
What garnish is recommended?
The soup is best served garnished with sliced green onions.
Can I adjust the saltiness of the soup?
Yes, you can adjust the taste with additional soy sauce or vinegar before serving.
How many water chestnuts are needed?
The recipe uses one 8-ounce can of sliced water chestnuts, drained.
What equipment do I need to cook this?
A large Dutch oven is recommended for preparing this soup.
Is sesame oil used in this recipe?
Yes, one teaspoon of sesame oil is added for flavor and aroma.
When should I add the cornstarch mixture?
Add the cornstarch mixture along with the bamboo shoots, water chestnuts, tofu, and pepper.
How long is the final simmering stage?
The final simmer takes about 10 minutes after all ingredients are combined.
Can I make this soup spicy?
Yes, the chili-garlic sauce provides a tantalizing kick that can be adjusted to your preference.
Is this an easy recipe to follow?
Yes, it is described as quick and easy to prepare, perfect for a warming comfort meal.
What is the source of the umami flavor?
The rich umami comes from the combination of mushrooms, soy sauce, and chicken broth.
How much white pepper is used?
The recipe calls for 3/4 teaspoon of white pepper.
Does the recipe include sugar?
The nutrition facts indicate no specific added sugar, making it ideal for low-carb diets.
Can I use vegetable broth to make it vegetarian?
While the recipe calls for chicken broth, you can easily swap it for vegetable broth to make it vegetarian.
How many dried shiitake mushrooms are needed?
The recipe requires 8 dried shiitake mushroom caps.
Is this soup served hot or cold?
This soup should be served hot for the best flavor experience.