Hot and Sour Soup

Name: Hot and Sour Soup
Yield: makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 teaspoon Shaoxing wine or dry sherry; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 1 tablespoon dark sesame oil; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/2 pound lean boneless pork loin, chicken breast, or flank steak, cut into thin shreds against the grain; 6 cups chicken stock, preferably homemade (page 160); 1 garlic clove, minced; One 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and minced; 5 dried black mushrooms, soaked in hot water for at least 10 minutes; 5 dried Chinese wood ear mushrooms, soaked in hot water for at least 10 minutes; 10 dried lily buds, soaked in hot water for at least 10 minutes; 1/2 pound extra-firm tofu, cut into small cubes; 1/4 cup rice vinegar, or more to taste; 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper, or more to taste; 2 eggs, lightly beaten; 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves; 1/2 cup chopped scallion

December 14, 2011

Much northern Chinese food is spicy, and this well known soup follows that pattern, deriving its heat from freshly ground pepper (use a lot of it) and its sourness from rice vinegar. Don’t be put off by the long ingredient list: this doesn’t take much time to prepare and is guaranteed to be better than the version served at most Chinese restaurants. Normally, I think thickening with cornstarch is unnecessary, but here it feels appropriate to give the soup its signature thickness; you can eliminate it if you like. Any of the dried ingredients that you can’t get at your supermarket can be found at almost any Chinese market.

Recipe notes

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Gochujang Turkey Sweet Potatoes

Fully loaded, meal-prep friendly, and ready to be dressed up, down, or sideways.