Sizzling Hot and Sour Chinese Soup
Indulge in a delightful exploration of flavors with our Sizzling Hot and Sour Chinese Soup. This dish is a perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and umami tastes, featuring tender pieces of chicken, shiitake mushrooms, and silky tofu. Infused with the aromatic essence of sesame oil and the vibrant acidity of rice vinegar, this warm and comforting soup is perfect for any occasion. Quick to prepare and packed with nutrients, it invites you to savor each spoonful while enjoying the warmth it brings. Perfect as a starter or a satisfying meal on its own!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
water
1 1/4 cups (divided, boiling and room temperature)
canned bamboo shoots
3/4 cup (drained)
dried shiitake mushrooms
4 large (soaked and sliced)
dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons (for sautéing)
boneless skinless chicken breasts
8 ounces (cut into 2-inch thin strips)
fresh mushrooms
2 cups (sliced)
green onions
1/3 cup (sliced, including tops)
chicken stock
2 1/2 cups
soy sauce
2-3 tablespoons (to taste)
honey
2 teaspoons
cornstarch
1 1/2 tablespoons (mixed with water)
firm tofu
8 ounces (cut into 2-inch thin strips)
rice vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons
hot red pepper sauce
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Instructions
1
In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup of water to a boil. Place the bamboo shoots in a heatproof bowl and pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over them. Let the bamboo shoots soak for 5 minutes, then drain. Add the dried shiitake mushrooms to the remaining water in the saucepan and let them soak for 15 minutes before draining through a sieve, reserving the soaking liquid. Slice the mushrooms, discarding the stems.
2
In a large saucepan, heat the dark sesame oil over moderate heat. Add the sliced chicken and sauté for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is no longer pink on the outside.
3
Stir in the soaked shiitake mushrooms, fresh mushrooms, green onions, chicken stock, soy sauce, honey, and the reserved mushroom soaking liquid. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.
4
In a small bowl, combine the cornstarch with the remaining 1/4 cup of water, mixing until smooth. Stir this cornstarch mixture into the simmering soup and continue to cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the soup to thicken.
5
Finally, add the tofu strips, rice vinegar, and hot red pepper sauce to the soup. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tofu is heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary before serving your hot and sour soup.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Sizzling Hot and Sour Chinese Soup?
It is a flavorful Chinese soup featuring a balance of tangy, spicy, and umami tastes with chicken, mushrooms, and tofu.
What proteins are included in this soup?
The recipe includes 8 ounces of boneless skinless chicken breasts and 8 ounces of firm tofu.
How do I prepare the bamboo shoots?
Soak the canned bamboo shoots in 1/2 cup of boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain them.
How are the dried shiitake mushrooms prepared?
Soak them in boiling water for 15 minutes, reserve the soaking liquid, then slice the mushrooms and discard the stems.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of dark sesame oil.
How long should I sauté the chicken?
Sauté the chicken strips for about 4 minutes until they are no longer pink on the outside.
What vegetables are added to the soup?
The soup includes fresh mushrooms, green onions, and bamboo shoots.
What liquid base is used for the soup?
The base consists of 2 1/2 cups of chicken stock combined with the reserved mushroom soaking liquid.
How do I thicken the hot and sour soup?
Mix 1 1/2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water and stir it into the simmering soup for 5 minutes.
What provides the sour flavor in this recipe?
The sourness comes from 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar or white wine vinegar.
How is the soup made spicy?
It uses 1/4 teaspoon of hot red pepper sauce, which can be adjusted to taste.
Can I make this soup vegetarian?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken with more tofu or mushrooms and use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
What kind of tofu is best?
The recipe recommends using 8 ounces of firm tofu cut into 2-inch thin strips.
Is honey used in this recipe?
Yes, 2 teaspoons of honey are added to help balance the flavors.
How much soy sauce is needed?
Use 2-3 tablespoons of soy sauce, adjusting to your personal taste.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is boiling water to soak the bamboo shoots and dried shiitake mushrooms.
Should I include the green onion tops?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of sliced green onions, including the tops.
When do I add the tofu to the soup?
Add the tofu strips during the final step along with the vinegar and hot red pepper sauce.
How long does the tofu need to cook?
Cook for 2-3 minutes until the tofu is heated through.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 14 ingredients listed for this soup.
How should the chicken be cut?
The chicken breasts should be cut into 2-inch thin strips.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, the recipe is tagged as healthy and is packed with nutrients from mushrooms, tofu, and chicken.
Can I use white wine vinegar?
Yes, white wine vinegar is a suitable substitute for rice vinegar in this recipe.
What is the role of the mushroom soaking liquid?
It is added back into the soup to provide a deeper umami flavor.
What makes the soup 'Sizzling'?
While the title suggests 'Sizzling', the heat comes from the hot red pepper sauce and the warmth of the serving temperature.
Is this soup a good starter?
Yes, it is perfect as a starter or can be a satisfying meal on its own.
How long does the total process take?
With soaking and cooking, the soup takes approximately 30-35 minutes to prepare.
What should I do if the soup is too thick?
You can add a little more chicken stock or water to reach your desired consistency.
Does the recipe use fresh mushrooms?
Yes, it calls for 2 cups of sliced fresh mushrooms in addition to the dried ones.
Should I adjust seasoning before serving?
Yes, the final instruction suggests tasting and adjusting seasoning as necessary before serving.