HOT AND SOUR SOUP (CHINESE)

By Tessie2



Ingredients:
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6 cups chicken stock (seasoned with some ginger)
2 tblsp light soy sauce
1/4 lb lean pork, in 1/4 inch cubes
6 dried Chinese mushrooms (soaked 3 hrs., drained, julienned)
3/4 tsp ground white pepper or more to taste
1/4 cup white vinegar -- more or less to taste
5 tblsp cornstarch mixed with 5 tblsp water
salt if needed
1/2 cup bamboo shoots, julienned
1/4 dried cloud ears, soaked 1 hr., drained, and shredded
1 cake bean curd, cut into 1/4 inch cubes
4 eggs, beaten

Garnish:
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cooked ham, cut in slivers
green onion, chopped
sesame oil to taste
grated carrot
ground black pepper

Instructions:
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Bring stock to simmer, add soy sauce, pork, and mushrooms. Simmer 10
minutes. Add pepper, vinegar, and thicken with cornstarch mixture.
Adjust seasonings to taste. Add bamboo, cloud ears, and bean curd.
Bring to simmer and pour in eggs in a very thin stream over the surface
of the soup. Wait 10 seconds and stir gently. Add garnishes and serve.

Note: Add garlic and red chili paste for more heat