Chinese Recipe - Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a specialty in Szechuan food and has a most unusual but very attractive taste.

Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 1 med. onion, sliced
• 3 carrots, thinly sliced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced
• 4 c. chicken broth
• 1 c. water
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 6 oz. shiitake mushrooms
• 1/3 c. sliced water chestnuts
• 1/2 lb. sliced snow peas
• 1 c. fresh bean sprouts
• 1/4 c. rice-wine vinegar
• 2 tbsp. sesame oil
• Dash of chili oil

Directions:

1. Heat 2 tbsp. vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.
3. Add the garlic and ginger; cook, stirring for 1 minute.
4. Add chicken broth, water and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Add the mushrooms and water chestnuts; boil for 1 minute.
6. Turn off heat, add peas and bean sprouts. Cover and let rest for 2 minutes.
7. Stir in rice-wine vinegar, sesame oil and chili oil. Heat through for 1 minute, serve immediately.