Hot and Sour Soup from Thug Kitchen

I recently got this awesome Thug Kitchen cook book and the first recipe my husband wanted to try was the Hot and Sour Soup. And so we did. He thought it needed more sour, so we added more vinegar than the recipe called for. I also had regular green cabbage from the CSA, so that is what we used instead of the Napa cabbage called for in the recipe. Because Napa cabbage cooks more quickly, I added the cabbage in earlier on, like step 1.5 so it would have time to cook. We both really enjoyed this soup!

The scallion pancakes were also delicious, and that recipe came from America's Test Kitchen.

Hot and Sour Soup from Thug Kitchen

2 tsp neutral oil

1 cup sliced shiitake or button mushrooms (I used button)

2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed

1 Tbsp minced or grated ginger

5 cups vegetable broth (I also ended up adding some additional water)

1/4 cup rice vinegar (we added at least 1 Tbsp more)

3 Tbsp Soy Sauce

1 Tbsp chili garlic paste

1 tsp agave syrup

3/4 cup thinly sliced bamboo shoots ( I used 1 small can)

1 block extra-firm tofu cut into dice-sized cubes

1 tsp cornstarch

2 tsp water

2 cups thinly sliced Napa cabbage (I used regular green cabbage, and probably closer to 3 cups)

1/4  cup sliced green onions (I think I used about 1/2 cup)

1 Tbsp sesame oil

Ground pepper to taste

1.  Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until they release their moisture, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and ginger and cook for another minute, stirring the entire time. Add the broth, vinegar, soy sauce, chili garlic paste, and agave and bring to a simmer. Stir in the bamboo and cabbage and simmer for about 5 minutes

2. Combine the corn starch and the water in a small bowl or cup, stir well with a fork or small whisk. Stir this mixture into the soup until it starts to thicken, about 3 or 4 minutes. 

3. Stir in the tofu, green onions, and sesame oil. Simmer until you are ready to eat and the flavors come together, at least 5 minutes. Check for seasoning, add more soy, vinegar or some pepper as needed.