Recipe: Spicy Hot and Sour Soup

Spicy Hot and Sour Soup

1 oz dried mushrooms
2 oz Shiitake mushrooms, chopped
8 dried tiger lily buds
4 cup chicken stock
1/3 cup shredded bamboo shoots
1/3 cup shredded lean pork meat
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp white sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground white pepper
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp water
1/2 lb bean curd, diced
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 tsp sesame oil
2 tbsp thinly sliced green onion

Soak the dried and fresh mushrooms and tiger lily buds in warm water for 20 minutes. After trimming off any tough stems, slice the mushrooms. With the fingers, shred the tiger lily stems.

Place the mushrooms, tiger lily buds, stock, bamboo shoots, and shredded pork into a saucepan. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, sugar, salt, white pepper, and vinegar.

Combine cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water. Add a little of the hot soup to the cornstarch, and then return all to the pan. Heat to boiling, stirring. Add the bean curd, and cook 1 to 2 minutes.

Just before serving, turn off the heat. Stir the egg in gradually. Mix in sesame oil. Sprinkle each serving with scallions.

Makes 6 servings