Traditional Hot and Sour Soup

This classic Hot and Sour Soup is a delightful blend of flavors, featuring crisp snow peas, crunchy bean sprouts, and sweet yellow bell pepper. The soup is thickened with cornstarch for a satisfying texture and seasoned with soy sauce for depth. Perfectly plant-based, dairy-free, nut-free, and shellfish-free, it offers a comforting yet invigorating experience that is sure to please everyone at the table.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup snow peas, trimmed
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
• 1 tablespoon garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing until fragrant, about 1 minute.
2. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer.
3. Add the sliced yellow bell pepper and snow peas to the pot. Cook for about 3-4 minutes until the vegetables are tender but still crisp.
4. In a small bowl, mix the cornstarch with water to create a slurry. Slowly add this mixture to the soup while stirring to thicken.
5. Stir in the soy sauce, ground black pepper, and white pepper. Adjust seasoning to taste.
6. Finally, add the bean sprouts and chopped green onions, cooking for an additional minute.
7. Serve hot, garnished with extra green onions if desired.