HOT AND SOUR SOUP
Back to the Kitchen
Serves 8
8 cups Homemade Chicken Stock , or canned low-sodium chicken broth, skimmed of fat
1 ten-ounce whole boneless and skinless chicken breast             
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil            
2 cloves garlic, minced             
1 small onion, cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices             
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and sliced 1/4 inch thick             
2 carrots, peeled and cut into matchsticks             
1 1/2 teaspoons grated ginger             
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper             
Pinch cayenne pepper             
1/2 teaspoon salt             
3 tablespoons cornstarch             
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce            
6 tablespoons rice-wine vinegar             
1 large whole egg, plus 1 large egg white, beaten             
3 large scallions, trimmed and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick  slices            
6 ounces firm or extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch cubes              


1. In a small saucepan, bring 3 cups chicken stock to a boil. Add chicken breast; poach until cooked through, about 12 minutes. Transfer chicken to a cutting board; slice in half crosswise, then  into 1/4-inch-thick strips. Set aside. Pass stock through a cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a medium bowl; set aside.              

2. In a 6-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Add garlic  and onion, and cover. Saut�, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 6 to 7 minutes. Add mushrooms, and saut� until tender, about 5 minutes. Add reserved and remaining chicken stock, carrots,  ginger, black pepper, ceyenne, and salt; bring liquid to a boil.  Reduce the heat, and simmer until carrots are tender, about 3 minutes.              

3. Place cornstarch in a small bowl, and slowly whisk in soy sauce  until cornstarch has dissolved. Whisk in vinegar. Slowly whisk  cornstarch mixture into soup. Simmer until soup is clear, 5 to 7 minutes. Add reserved chicken, and continue simmering until chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes. Turn off the heat.             

4. Slowly pour beaten eggs through a perforated spoon into soup. Cover soup, and let stand 1 minute. Remove the cover, and gently  stir. Add scallions and tofu.

To serve, ladle into individual bowls. 

Per Serving
206 calories
5 g fat
65 mg cholesterol
9 g carbohydrate
500 mg sodium
22 g protein
2 g dietary fiber
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