Tom Yum - Thai Hot and Sour Soup

A nice vegetarian version of the classic soup. But you could add some shrimp if you like.

• Ready In: 47 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  ounce  dried wood ear mushrooms (also called tree ears or black fungus, optional)
• 7  ounces soft tofu
• 4  cups water
• 3  tablespoons soy sauce
• 1⁄2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1  teaspoon  chopped garlic
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons sugar
• 5  tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1⁄2 tablespoon hot chili sauce (sambal oelek)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup bamboo shoot
• 1  teaspoon  sesame oil
• 1  tablespoon cornstarch
• 1  tablespoon water
• 2  egg yolks
• 1  strip  red pepper
•  fresh cilantro

Directions

1. Soak the wood ears in warm water for 20-30 minutes until they swell up and become soft.
2. Rinse under cold water, and cut into thin ribons, discarding any hard centers; set aside.
3. Slice tofu into long thin strips; set aside.
4. Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a soup pot; add the soy sauce, black pepper, garlic, sugar, vinegar, sambal oelek, and salt and stir to blend.
5. Lower heat to medium and cook for several minutes.
6. Add the bamboo shoots and cook for a minute before adding the wood ears, the tofu, and the sesame oil.
7. Cook the soup for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the cornstarch which should be dissolved in the 1 tablespoonful of water.
8. Beat the egg yolks lightly and slide into the soup; turn off the heat and DO NOT STIR.
9. The egg will cook into the hot soup and stay in pieces (if you stir it will shrivel).
10. Pour soup into serving bowls and garnish with strips of red pepper and cilantro leaves.