The Mysteries of Asia Unlocked -- Gloria's Hot and Sour Soup

Tonight Smiley made hot and sour soup, which I was told, contains hundreds of ingredients and takes hours to make.

Not true, apparently.   

You will need:

1/4 c. dried black fungus

1/4 c. dried daylilies

100g package of preserved vegetables 

4 T. cornstarch 

4 T. water

3 cups water 

1 12 oz can of chicken stock 

1 lb of lean pork

1 ordinary package of supreme soft tofu

1 egg
4 tablespoons Chili sauce
60 ml of vinegar.
Salt to taste
Fine black pepper to taste

Soak a handful of Black Fungus and a handful (about1/4 cup) of dried Daylilies (many restaurants would use bamboo shoots)  in water for a while to soften and start a large pot containing 2-3 cups of water and a can of chicken stock to boiling.   Take about 1 lb of Pork and cut into strip about 1/2" by 2" Add a slurry of 2 T. cornstarch and 2 T. water and set aside.  Mix 2 T. of cornstarch with 2 T. of water and set aside.  

Cut the tofu into strips about 1/4-1/2 by the length of the cube.  Scramble the egg.   Strain the fungus and day lilies and add to the boiling liquid.  Add the pork, the preserved vegetables and the tofu. Add Some of the cornstarch mixture to thicken. judge the thickness based on your history of eating hot and sour soup.  Add the vinegar and the chili sauce. Salt and pepper to rase. Add the egg by stirring and drizzling it around in the soup 

 Serves 6-8.   Enjoy