Savory Panda Express-Inspired Hot and Sour Soup
Experience the delightful fusion of spicy and tangy flavors with this Savory Panda Express-Inspired Hot and Sour Soup. A soothing clear broth crafted from chicken or vegetable stock becomes the perfect canvas for fresh ingredients like button mushrooms, diced tofu, and vibrant green onions. This soup is enhanced with a harmonious blend of chili-garlic sauce for heat, distilled white vinegar for a touch of acidity, and fragrant sesame oil that ties all the flavors together. It's a comforting dish that can be served as an appetizer or a light meal, making it a versatile favorite for any occasion.
6
Servings
30
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken broth (or vegetable broth)
6 cups (Bring to a simmer)
Soy sauce
6 tablespoons (Add to the simmering broth)
Button mushrooms
3/4 cup (Slice (fresh or canned))
Chili-garlic sauce
2 teaspoons (Add to the simmering broth)
White pepper, ground
1/3 teaspoon (Add to the soup)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (Mix with cold water)
Cold water
3 tablespoons (Mix with cornstarch)
Egg
1 (Beaten)
Firm tofu
6 ounces (Diced)
Green onions
2 (Diced, including green tops)
Distilled white vinegar
1/3 cup (Add before serving)
Sesame oil
3/4 teaspoon (Add before serving)
Instructions
1
In a 3-quart saucepan, bring the chicken broth (or vegetable broth) to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2
Once simmering, add the soy sauce, sliced button mushrooms, chili-garlic sauce, and white pepper. Allow the mixture to simmer for approximately 5 minutes to develop the flavors.
3
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch and cold water, stirring until smooth. Gradually add this mixture to the simmering soup, stirring continuously until the soup begins to thicken, which should take about 3 to 4 minutes.
4
In a separate bowl, beat the egg until the yolk and whites are fully combined. Slowly pour the beaten egg into the simmering soup in a fine stream while stirring gently to create delicate egg ribbons. Let the soup rest for 30 seconds to allow the eggs to set.
5
Add the diced tofu and sliced green onions to the soup, folding gently into the broth. Remove the saucepan from heat.
6
Finish the soup by incorporating the distilled white vinegar and sesame oil and give it a light stir to blend the flavors. Serve hot, garnished with additional green onions if desired.
Nutrition Information
1g
Fat
2g
Carbs
2g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this recipe?
The recipe is Savory Panda Express-Inspired Hot and Sour Soup.
How many calories are in one serving?
There are 30 calories per serving.
How many servings does this recipe make?
This recipe makes 6 servings.
What is the primary base for the soup?
The base is made from 6 cups of chicken broth or vegetable broth.
What ingredients make the soup 'sour'?
The sour flavor comes from 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar added at the end.
What ingredients provide the heat in this soup?
The heat comes from chili-garlic sauce and ground white pepper.
Is this soup suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it is suitable for vegetarians if you use vegetable broth.
Can this recipe be made vegan?
Yes, by using vegetable broth and omitting the egg, it can be made vegan.
How do you thicken the soup?
The soup is thickened using a slurry of 3 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 3 tablespoons of cold water.
How do you create the egg ribbons?
Slowly pour a beaten egg into the simmering soup in a fine stream while stirring gently.
What kind of tofu should be used?
The recipe calls for 6 ounces of firm tofu, diced into small pieces.
What type of mushrooms are used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of sliced button mushrooms, either fresh or canned.
How long should the mushrooms simmer?
The mushrooms should simmer in the broth for approximately 5 minutes.
When do you add the sesame oil?
Sesame oil is added at the very end after removing the saucepan from the heat.
How many green onions are needed?
Two green onions are used, diced including their green tops.
How much soy sauce is in the recipe?
The recipe requires 6 tablespoons of soy sauce.
What is the fat content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 1g of fat.
What is the carbohydrate content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 2g of carbohydrates.
What size saucepan is recommended?
A 3-quart saucepan is recommended for this recipe.
How long does it take for the soup to thicken after adding cornstarch?
It takes about 3 to 4 minutes of continuous stirring for the soup to thicken.
Should the egg be beaten before adding to the soup?
Yes, the egg should be beaten until the yolk and whites are fully combined.
How long should the egg set before stirring in the tofu?
Let the soup rest for 30 seconds after adding the egg to allow it to set.
Is the soup served hot or cold?
The soup should be served hot.
How much chili-garlic sauce is included?
The recipe uses 2 teaspoons of chili-garlic sauce.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 12 ingredients in this recipe.
Can I garnish the soup with extra ingredients?
Yes, you can garnish with additional green onions if desired.
Is there any fiber or sugar in this soup?
The nutritional data provided lists fiber and sugar as null or negligible.
What kind of pepper is used?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/3 teaspoon of ground white pepper.
What is the role of sesame oil in this dish?
Sesame oil acts as a fragrant finishing oil that ties all the flavors together.
Is this considered a Panda Express copycat?
Yes, it is a copycat recipe inspired by Panda Express's hot and sour soup.