Hot and Sour Soup

Hot and sour soup is a specialty in Szechuan food and has a most unusual but very attractive taste.Serves 6

Ingredients:
* 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

* 1 med. onion, sliced

* 3 carrots, thinly sliced

* 3 cloves minced garlic

* 1 tbsp. fresh ginger, minced

* 4 c. chicken broth

* 1 c. water

* 2 tbsp. soy sauce

* 6 oz. shiitake mushrooms

* 1/3 c. sliced water chestnuts

* 1/2 lb. sliced snow peas

* 1 c. fresh bean sprouts

* 1/4 c. rice-wine vinegar

# Heat 2 tbsp. vegetable oil in a heavy pot over medium heat.


# Add the onion and carrots; cook, stirring constantly for 3 minutes.

# Add the garlic and ginger; cook, stirring for 1 minute.

# Add chicken broth, water and soy sauce. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes.

# Add the mushrooms and water chestnuts; boil for 1 minute.

# Turn off heat, add peas and bean sprouts. Cover and let rest for 2 minutes.

# Stir in rice-wine vinegar, sesame oil and chili oil. Heat through for 1 minute, serve immediately.
* 2 tbsp. sesame oil

* Dash of chili oil