Hot And Sour Ramen With Tofu Shiitakes And Spinach Recipes

HOT AND SOUR SOUP

Steps:

• Cover shiitake mushrooms with plenty of boiling water. Stand 20 - 30 minutes until soft, drain, then slice thinly. (Discard or reserve liquid for other use)

CHINESE HOT AND SOUR SOUP WITH RAMEN

Steps:

• If using dried shiitake and wood ear mushrooms, rehydrate them by submerging them in hot water for 15-20 minutes till they soften up. Reserve the water to be used as stock in the soup. Slice all the mushrooms and set aside.
• Heat oil in a pan and add red chillies and ginger. Saute till the ginger is golden brown and add the garlic. Saute the garlic for a few seconds and add the celery and carrots. Cook the carrots for a minute or two and add mushrooms, tofu, both the soy sauces and six cups water (or low sodium stock) to the pot (if using the stock from mushrooms, reduce the water to 5 cups and add the stock). Bring the pot to a boil and simmer for 5-6 minutes. Add the ramen to the pot.
• While the ramen is cooking, stir together cornstarch in 1/4 cup water and slowly add it to the pot while stirring continuously. Bring the soup to a quick boil. The soup should start to thicken. Slowly add in the beaten egg, swirling with a ladle as you go to create egg ribbons in the soup. Stir in rice vinegar, white pepper, salt (if using) and sesame oil. Turn off the flame. Top with an egg or just some green onions and enjoy.

CHEF JOHN'S HOT AND SOUR SOUP

Steps:

• Soak dried shiitake mushrooms in hot water, stirring occasionally, until soft, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well and slice into thin strips.
• Whisk soy sauce, vinegar, ground white pepper, and sesame oil together in a small bowl for hot and sour mixture; set aside until needed.
• Whisk cornstarch and water together in another small bowl for slurry; set aside until needed.
• Heat vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add ginger, sliced green onions, and shiitake mushrooms. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring up to a simmer. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in carrot, red pepper, bamboo shoots, tofu, and the hot and sour mixture. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
• Raise heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Stir the soup slowly with a spoon while transferring in the beaten eggs in a steady stream to create thin ribbons. Keep stirring until the soup comes back to a boil. Reduce heat to medium.
• Stir the cornstarch slurry to make sure it's well blended, then slowly drizzle it into the soup while stirring constantly. Soup should thicken up within 1 to 2 minutes. Turn off heat, taste for seasoning, and serve.

HOT AND SOUR RAMEN WITH TOFU, SHIITAKES, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• While the tofu browns, slice the shiitakes. While the shiitakes brown, prep the garlic and ginger.
• SAUTÉ TOFU: Pat tofu dry with paper towels and toss with 2 teaspoons of soy sauce. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Lightly brown tofu on several sides, about 5 minutes total. Transfer tofu to clean bowl.
• SAUTÉ MUSHROOMS AND AROMATICS: Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and return to medium-high heat until shimmering. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Stir in chili sauce, garlic, and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• SIMMER RAMEN: Stir in broth. Break bricks of ramen into small hunks and add to skillet. Bring to simmer and cook, tossing ramen constantly with tongs to separate, until ramen is just tender but there is still liquid in pan, about 2 minutes.
• . THICKEN SAUCE AND FINISH: Stir in remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, vinegar, and sugar. Stir in spinach, one handful at a time, until spinach is wilted and sauce is thickened. Stir in tofu and serve.