Slow-Cooked Comfort: Crafting Hot And Sour Soup In A Crock Pot

Making hot and sour soup in a crock pot is a great way to enjoy your favourite takeout Chinese American soup at home. It is easy to make and can be prepared in a slow cooker or on a stovetop. The soup is spicy, sour, savoury, and glossy. It is packed with healthy ingredients and is low in calories.

Ingredients and prep

Hot and sour soup is a Chinese soup that is savoury, spicy, and tangy. The soup is thickened and filled with mushrooms, tofu, and silky egg ribbons. The flavour and textures in this soup are an addictive combination, making it a firm Chinese restaurant favourite.

• Chicken broth or vegetable broth
• Dried shiitake mushrooms, rehydrated and sliced
• Bamboo shoots
• Rice vinegar
• Soy sauce
• Garlic cloves, minced
• Ginger, minced
• Red chilli sauce
• Firm tofu, pressed and cut into cubes
• Green onions, thinly sliced
• Sesame oil
• Sugar
• White pepper
• Eggs, well whisked
• Cornstarch

Optional ingredients include:

• Pork shoulder or loin, thinly sliced
• Wood ear mushrooms, chopped
• Dried red chilli peppers
• Dark soy sauce
• Chicken
• Shrimp/prawns
• Fish
• Shallots/scallions

To prepare the ingredients, start by soaking the shiitake mushrooms in warm water to rehydrate them. Thinly slice the mushrooms and set them aside. If using wood ear mushrooms, soak them in warm water for at least an hour, then pick out the root and wood before slicing. Cut the meat into thin slices and marinate with a little salt, cornstarch, and water. Drain and slice the bamboo shoots. Drain and cube the tofu. Mince the garlic and ginger.

Cooking methods

Hot and sour soup can be made in a crock pot, and the cooking method is relatively similar across different recipes.

Firstly, prepare the ingredients. This may include slicing or cubing tofu, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, and chicken. Some recipes also call for dried shiitake mushrooms, which should be soaked in warm water for 20-30 minutes before slicing.

Next, combine the ingredients in the crock pot. This typically includes chicken broth, soy sauce, rice vinegar, bamboo shoots, mushrooms, ginger, sriracha, white pepper, sugar, tofu, and green onions. Some recipes also include sesame oil, garlic, eggs, and cornstarch.

Then, cook the soup on a low setting for 6-8 hours or on a high setting for 3-5 hours.

Finally, serve the soup while it is still warm. Some recipes suggest garnishing with green onions.

This soup can also be made on a stovetop by combining the ingredients in a pot and simmering for 5-10 minutes.

Thickeners

Cornstarch/Cornflour

Cornstarch, also known as cornflour in some countries, is a popular choice for thickening hot and sour soup. It gives the broth a glossy finish and ensures the soup has a perfect consistency. To use cornstarch, create a slurry by mixing it with water before adding it to the soup. This prevents lumps from forming. You can adjust the amount of cornstarch used based on your desired thickness.

Arrowroot Starch

Arrowroot starch is another effective thickening agent for hot and sour soup. Like cornstarch, it is combined with water to form a slurry before being added to the soup. Arrowroot starch provides a clear and glossy finish to the broth.

Rice Vinegar

While rice vinegar primarily contributes to the sour flavour of the soup, it also acts as a mild thickening agent. You can adjust the amount of rice vinegar to control the sourness and thickness of the soup.

Eggs

Beaten eggs are added to hot and sour soup in a thin stream while simultaneously stirring the soup. This creates silky egg ribbons that give the soup a signature appearance and contribute to a thicker consistency.

Temperature and timing

Hot and sour soup can be made in a crock pot or slow cooker. The temperature and timing settings will depend on the recipe you are following and the ingredients used. Here are some general guidelines:

Temperature:

When using a crock pot or slow cooker, you can typically choose between a low and high-temperature setting. The low setting is ideal for cooking the hot and sour soup for a longer period of time, usually between 6 to 8 hours. The high setting is suitable if you want to cook the soup faster, and it usually takes around 3 to 5 hours.

Timing:

The timing will depend on the temperature setting you choose. Here are some estimates based on the recipes mentioned:

• On low for 7-9 hours or high for 4-5 hours.
• On low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
• On low for 5-6 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• On low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
• On low for 10 hours or on high for 4-6 hours.

It's important to note that the timing may vary slightly depending on your crock pot or slow cooker, as well as the specific ingredients and proportions used in your recipe. Always refer to the recipe you are following for the most accurate timing and temperature guidelines.

Serving suggestions

Hot and sour soup is a great dish to serve for Chinese New Year, but it's also a perfect comfort food when you're feeling under the weather. Here are some ideas for serving this delicious and healthy soup:

For a Crowd

Hot and sour soup is a great dish to serve for a large group of people. It's easy to prepare in a crockpot, and you can set it and forget about it for a few hours. This soup is hearty and healthy, and you can make it vegetarian by substituting vegetable broth for chicken broth.

As a Starter

Hot and sour soup is an excellent way to jumpstart your meal. The spicy and sour flavours will awaken your taste buds, and the warm broth will comfort you. It's a great dish to serve before the main course, especially if you're serving Chinese food.

With Other Chinese Dishes

This soup goes well with other Chinese dishes such as shrimp fried rice, garlic sesame chicken, and sweet and sour pork. Create a Chinese food feast for your family and friends, with hot and sour soup as the star attraction!

For Sinus Congestion

If you're feeling stuffed up, hot and sour soup is a great natural remedy. The peppers in the soup are a natural decongestant, so it will help clear your sinuses. It's also a low-calorie, protein-rich dish that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Leftovers and Storage

This soup is perfect for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week. Simply allow it to cool completely, then store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze it in single portions and reheat it on the stove when you're ready to enjoy it again.

Frequently asked questions