POST FIREWORKS SOUPS: HOT & SOUR SOUP, hot in every way, part prepare ahead, fod map friendly, vegan, low fat

Soups for Hallowe'en often offer a kick of spices to take off the chill after outdoor events.  This one, for sophisticated diners, has an Asian twist with exotic heat.  It's stunningly delicious...

first posted 2018; updated 11/2024

Hot & Sour Soup - warming and health giving!
'I love this; it's got amazing flavours & is so easy to digest!'  Taster 

An Oriental favourite, Hot & Sour Soup, gives an exotic twist to any Hallowe'en party, with gentle lashings of heat (and, no, that's not a contradiction!).

It's not only unusually delicious, it's also packed with ingredients that boost the immune system at a time of year when it needs strengthening. 

Unlike most commercial Hot & Sour soups, 67's does not have a clear base.  But it shares good strong flavours and has the added bonus of creamy,  non-dairy textures.  With plenty of fresh ginger and chilli, the soup warms and invigorates internally.   

There are several steps to complete to get to the finished product but they're straightforward and well worth it.  They can be completed in two stages.  

Three ingredients are needed which may require some shopping.  One - dried shiitake mushrooms (expensive but keep forever) -  requires a trip to Chinatown. The other two - tinned bamboo shoots and tofu - are often available in major supermarkets.  The dried/tinned products keep well and will add unusual savoury undertones and textures in other dishes.  See Chinese Ingredients to Spice Up Your Cooking.

The soup does not freeze well but is so tasty it will go fast.

Cost: between £6-8'ish, once special ingred are purchased
Serves: 8-12; recipe halves nicely

Ingred:
   2 med to large dried reconstituted Chinese mushrooms, incl juices (see method) set aside (optional but adds unique flavour; replace with equivalent dried porcini mushrooms)

   1/2 cup/70 gm/2.5 oz bamboo shoots

   70-100 gms/2 1/2-3 oz minced poultry, shredded white fish or minced seafood (vegetarians/vegans can replace with soya mince or crumbled tofu)
   1/2 tbsp light veg oil
   soy sauce

   5 cups/1 litre good stock (pref home-made but granules, cubes are ok)
   1 tbsp reduced-salt (not low-salt) soy sauce
   1 large clove garlic, minced or grated (opt)
   1/2 to 1 tbsp grated peeled ginger

   2 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 3 tbsp cold water  
   1 tbsp toasted sesame oil

   1 chilli, halved and de-seeded OR 1-2 tsp chilli flakes  
   2-3 tbsp red wine vinegar/red grape juice

   1.5 -2 pads tofu (250g/8oz-325g/11oz), thinly sliced or diced (silky will do but will collapse as it cooks)  *67goingon50 uses Clearspot or fresh firm tofu from one of the three major Chinese supermarkets on London's Gerrard/Lisle Street in Chinatown. 
   

   1 tsp coarse black pepper
   2/3 large mug frozen peas
   2 lightly beaten eggs (opt for vegans)

Method:

1. Chinese Mushrooms.  Pour boiling water over dried mushrooms; leave at least 20 mins; drain, reserving juice but discarding sediment; remove stems; slice caps thinly; set aside  
2. Bamboo Shoots.  Drain & rinse; cut in thin matchsticks; set aside
3. In a large heavy pan over medium high heat, saute meat/fish/veg protein in a little oil until crumbly & brown; add soy sauce, ginger, garlic and chilli; stir
4. Add stock, red wine vinegar and reserved juice from dried mushrooms; stir
5. Reduce heat to med; mix cornstarch with cold water to make a slurry; add to pan, stirring until the mixture begins to thicken   
6. Add mushrooms & bamboo shoots
7. Bring to a boil and take off heat; set aside; if part preparing ahead, cool & refrigerate
8. When ready to serve, remove & discard fresh chilli if used 
9. Add tofu & bring to a boil
10. Add peas, pepper and sesame oil
11. Beat eggs lightly; pour in a thin stream into the soup; remove from heat
12. Serve with finely diced chilli or chilli flakes on the side

Comments:

'I could eat this all winter; it's got amazing flavours, makes me feel warm inside and is so easy to digest!'  Retired writer

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This recipe has  been developed by B M Lee/ Bright Sun Enterprises.  It may not be reproduced without the author's written permission.