Directions:Finely chop all the vegetables(cabbage, green beans, carrot, capsicum) listed in the ingredients table. Dissolve 5 teaspoons cornflour(corn starch) in 1/4 cup water.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a deep pot or a kadai over medium flame. Add 1/4 cup finely chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes or until it turns translucent.
Add 1 teaspoon finely chopped ginger, 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic and 1 tablespoon finely chopped celery.
Add finely chopped vegetables(1/4 cup cabbage, 2-3 tablespoons green beans, 2-3 tablespoons carrot, 2-3 tablespoons capsicum).
Add 2 cups water or vegetable stock.
Add salt to taste (if you are using the vegetable stock then be careful while adding the salt).
Add 1 tablespoon soy sauce.
Add 1/2 tablespoon chilli sauce.
Add dissolved cornflour-water mixture.
Mix well. Add 1/4 teaspoon black pepper powder. Let the soup simmer for 5-6 minutes or until it thickens slightly.
Add 1/2 teaspoon vinegar and mix well.
Turn off the flame. Hot and Sour Soup is ready for serving. Garnish it with green onions and serve.
Tips and Variations: - Add the vegetables as per the availability and your choice. You can also add mushrooms, bean sprouts and tofu.
- Cornflour (cornstarch) is added to thicken the soup. This soup has a medium thick consistency. If you like very thick soup, add 6 teaspoons cornflour and if you like very thin soup, add 4 teaspoons cornflour.
- To make this soup less spicy, reduce the amount of chilli sauce and black pepper powder.
Taste: Spicy and Mild Sour
Serving Ideas: Serve hot and sour soup as a starter or appetizer with indo chinese food like vegetable hakka noodles and gobi manchurian.