Hot and Sour Soup

This is a cool weather favorite, especially if you have a cold.  The heat from the soup and the spices really help you to breathe when you're a little stuffy.  The soup also tastes great.  It's traditionally a starter at Chinese restaurants but that doesn't mean that you can't make a meal out of it.  This recipe is full of stuff to make it a complete meal, plus it's a bit thicker that what I have found at restaurants.

I used organic, whole wheat asian noodles but I'm sure what ever you prefer would be fine.  Gluten free noodles should work well.  This recipe is vegan so all the animals are happy with it.

Ingredients:

• 8-oz package of Asian noodles cooked according to instructions
• 1 tbsp. sunflower or canola oil
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely minced or grated on a grate plate
• 1/4 tsp. dried chili flakes (more if you want it hotter)
• 1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, finely minced or grated on a grate plate 
• 4 cups vegetable broth 
• 1/4 tsp. ground pepper 
• 2 tbsp. chinese black vinegar (available at your local Asian markets)
• 1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce or tamari
• 1/2 tsp. toasted sesame oil 
• 1/4 cup nappa cabbage, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh shiitake mushrooms, with hard stems removed
• 1 carrot, sliced or julienned 
• 2 medium green onions, finely chopped into rounds
• 3-oz. tofu diced into 1/2-inch cubes, pressed (about 4-6 hours)
• 3 tbsp. potato starch
• 1/4 cup bean sprouts
• 2 sprigs cilantro, rinsed, dried, leaves removed and chopped for garnish

Directions:


Boil the Asian noodles. After they are cooked, remove the noodles from the pot immediately and place them in a tray full of cold water and set aside.

In a large stock pot, heat oil, and sauté ginger & garlic on medium heat until fragrant. Add dried chili flakes. Add broth. Add pepper, Chinese black vinegar, sesame oil and soy sauce in it then heat stirring frequently for 2-3 minutes. Add all vegetables & tofu until vegetables are tender (usually about 8-10 minutes).

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, dissolve starch in 1/2 cup cold water and then add it to the soup while it is boiling. Stir continually to avoid lumps. Add bean sprouts. Stir and let it cook for about few minutes.

Place some cooked noodles in serving bowls. Add the soup and garnish with green onions and cilantro.

If you have any leftovers the noodles should be stored in a separate container from the soup or they will absorb all or most of the liquid.

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