Szechuan-Style Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients:

1. Chicken stock 5 cups
2. Fresh mushrooms (sliced) 3 tbsp.
3. Bamboo shoots (optional) 2 tbsp.
4. Fresh root ginger (sliced)  2-3 slices
5. Garlic (crushed) 1 tsp.
6. Soy sauce 2 tbsp.
7. Dried crushed chillies 1/4 tsp.
8. Boneless chicken breast fillet (cut into strips) 1
9. Sesame oil 1 tbsp.
10. Spring onions (chopped green part) 2 tbsp.
11. Fresh coriander (chopped) 1 tbsp.
12. Vinegar 3 tbsp.
13. Cornflour 4 tbsp.
14. Egg (beaten) 1

Method:

• Put chicken stock, water, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, root ginger, garlic, soy sauce and crushed chillies in a pan.
• Bring to the boil.
• Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Put chicken strips into a bowl and toss with the sesame oil to coat.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the cornflour and vinegar and set aside.
• Increase the heat under the stock and bring to boil.
• Add the chicken.
• Stir in the vinegar and cornflour.
• Add it to the stock.
• When it thickens add beaten egg while stirring slowly to create long strands of egg.
• Simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally for about  2-3 minutes.
• Garnished with spring onions and coriander.
• Serve hot.

Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients:

1. Chicken stock 5 cups
2. Chilli sauce 4 tbsp.
3. Light soy sauce 2 tbsp.
4. Salt 1/2 tsp.
5. White pepper powder 1/2 tsp.
6. Vinegar 1 tbsp.
7. Boneless chicken breast (boiled and shredded) 2 tbsp.
8. Prawns 2 tbsp.
9. Cabbage (shredded)  1/2 cup
10. Carrots (shredded) 1/2 cup
11. Egg (beaten) 1
12. Corn flour 3 tbsp.
13. Sesame seed 1 tsp.
14. Cooking oil 1 tsp.

Method:

• Pour chicken stock in a pan.
• Place on heat.
• Bring to boil and add light soy sauce, salt, white pepper powder and chilli sauce.
• Dissolve corn flour in little water and add it to the soup.
• When the soup gets thick add beaten egg and stir immediately.
• In another pan heat cooking oil.
• Add prawns and fry for few seconds.
• Then put all the vegetables and shredded chicken.
• Fry for a minute or two.
• Add it to the soup.
• Sprinkle vinegar and sesame seed on top.
• Mix and take out in a bowl and serve hot.