SWEET AND SOUR VEGETABLE SOUP RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat; add garlic and cook until soft.
• Add the onion and sauté until transluscent.
• Add 3 c vegetable broth, carrots, tomatoes and purée, tomato paste, ketchup, sugar and the bay leaf.
• Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
• Crush the whole tomatoes and continue to simmer until carrots are tender (10 more minutes).
• Discard bay leaf and, using an immersion blender, blend until slightly chunky (this step is not necessary, texture is good).
• Add lemon juice and cabbage and remaining 3 cups vegetable broth (there will be a LOT of cabbage, but it will cook down).
• Again, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the cabbage is done however you like it (1 hour for al dente,2 hours for soft, or anywhere in between).
• Add 3-6 cups water, until the soup reaches your desired consistency.
• Add the raisins 10 minutes before serving.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve with sour cream.

Steps:

• 1. Peel the garlic and deseed the chillies, then roughly chop and place into a pestle and mortar. Bash with a pinch of salt to a rough paste. Peel, finely chop and add the ginger, then bash until broken down and combined.
  2. Finely slice the mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Heat a lug of oil in a large wok or heavy-based saucepan over a medium-high heat, add the mushrooms and fry for 4 minutes, or until lightly golden. Stir in the chilli paste and bamboo shoots and fry for a further minute.
  3. Meanwhile, mix together 3 tablespoons of soy, 4 tablespoons of rice wine vinegar, the honey and a good pinch of white pepper. Stir the mixture into the pan and cook for a minute, then pour in the hot stock and bring gently to the boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes, or until slightly reduced. Meanwhile, chop the tofu into 1cm cubes, finely slice the spring onions and chives and whisk the egg well.
  4. Once reduced, remove the soup from the heat. Using a chopstick, stir the soup in a clockwise direction until you get a little whirlpool, then slowly add the beaten egg, stirring continuously to form thin ribbons. Stir in the tofu and return to the heat for 1 minute to warm through. Season to taste with soy and vinegar, then serve immediately with the spring onions and chives scattered on top.