This soup makes me and hubby crazy - we just inhale it when it's in the house. Even though hubs is a meat eater, he loves it w/out the meat. I put the meat ingredients in [brackets]. If you think you don't like tofu --
OH PEOPLE YOU JUST THINK AGAIN!
Hot and Sour Soup
(This is a double recipe, can easily be cut in half - but DON'T do it
)
[½ lb. pork boneless loin]
[1 t cornstarch]
[1 t soy sauce]
[1 t salt]
Meatless Version
1 lg. pkg/box mushrooms, roughly chopped or sliced
2 blocks firm tofu, cut into 1½ x ¼ inch strips
8 c. chicken broth (or veg. broth)
6 T white vinegar
2 T soy sauce
2 t salt
2 cans (1 c.) shredded canned bamboo shoots, cut into thin strips
¼ c. cornstarch
¼ c. cold water
½ t white pepper (can subs. black pepper)
4 eggs, slightly beaten
¼ c. chopped green onion
4 t red pepper sauce
1 t. sesame oil
For meat version: trim fat from loin; cut into 2in. strips. Toss pork, starch, salt, and soy in med. bowl. Cover and put in fridge for 15 mins.
Meatless version: In large stock pot/stew pot, heat broth, vinegar, soy, salt to boiling; stir in bamboo, mushrooms, pork (if using), and tofu. Heat to boiling; reduce heat, cover & simmer for 5 mins.
Mix starch, water, and pepper – then stir into soup. Heat to rolling boil over high heat, stirring constantly. Pour beaten eggs slowly into soup – stirring constantly w/ large fork until egg forms threads and soup thickens. Stir in green onions, pepper sauce, and sesame oil. Simmer on low heat for 3-5 mins., then serve.