Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients:
• 2 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms
• 10 cups chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 pound chicken or tofu, cut into small bite-size strips or chunks
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons mushroom flavored soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Hot chile oil, for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions

Combine shiitake mushrooms and 3 cups of the chicken stock in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat and let stand until mushrooms are tender and broth is flavorful, about 30 minutes. Remove mushrooms and discard stems. Thinly slice caps and reserve. Strain broth through a fine mesh sieve, combine with the remaining chicken stock and set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat the vegetable oil and, when hot, add the ginger, garlic and crushed red pepper; cook for 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the chicken stock and reserved shiitakes and bring to a simmer. Cook for 30 minutes. Add the chicken or tofu and stir to combine. In a small bowl or cup, combine the lime juice and cornstarch and stir until smooth. Whisk the cornstarch mixture into the hot soup and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce and sesame oil and serve the soup, drizzled with hot chile oil to taste, and garnished with some of the sliced scallions.