19B Soup
What an interesting name for a soup yeah?! I was surprised too! Haha.. A Chinese chef developed the recipe of this soup whilst traveling on a train, and when he reached his destination, he prepared the soup and named the soup as per his seat number on the train. Also I read an article that the chef was one of the best in Pakistan and hence it is a pak-Chinese influence soup. Not sure about the authenticity of this part of the story, but still thought to put it here ☺️
The soup is more like hot and sour soup but with the addition of prawns, the soup has a very delicious flavor full of umami. This soup is perfect for the winters, when you want to gulp on some warm liquids. So satisfying!
The soup is very easy to prepare too. The soup uses a whole egg without separating the yolks from the whites. And also remember to quickly stir when pouring the corn flour slurry, or else you will end up with a lumpy mess. And once prepared do try to have it immediately, reheating may not give the desired taste.
Ingredients: (makes for 3)
- 3-4 Mushrooms*, sliced
- 1 egg
- 3 1/2 tsp Corn Flour (mixed with 3 tbsp water)
- 1/2 cup Carrot, chopped finely
- 1/4 cup Spring onion, chopped finely
- 150 gms Boneless Chicken, chopped finely
- 8-10 pcs Prawns, peeled and deveined (chop few of them)
- 2 Garlic, freshly minced
- Small piece Ginger, freshly minced
- 2-3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
- 1 Chicken Cube / 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1-2 tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1-2 tbsp Red Chilli Sauce
- 1 tsp White Pepper Powder
- 1 tsp Black Pepper, crushed
- 1 tbsp Oyster Sauce, optional
- 3 1/2 - 4 cups Water
- Salt, as required
- Spring onion, chopped (to garnish)
Instructions:
- In a heavy bottom pot, pour in the vegetable oil and add in the chicken pieces and the minced ginger and garlic and toss well until almost cooked.
- Next, add in the chopped prawns and whole prawns.
- Add in your veggies like sliced mushrooms, finely chopped carrots.
- After a couple of minutes of sautéing, add in the chicken cube and add in the sauces like soy sauce, red Chilli sauce and oyster sauce and spices like white pepper, black pepper.
- Pour in the water, close lid and allow to boil, once boiled, if froth is visible, skim it using a ladle.
- Pour in the corn flour slurry, while stirring continuously.
- Add salt, if required, and sauces if necessary.
- Finally pour in the beaten egg like a thin string and swirl while doing it, mix gently.
- Garnish with the chopped spring onion and your 19B soup is ready to enjoy!
Note:
It is recommended to use shiitake mushrooms if they are accessible to you, if not normal button mushrooms works fine as well! *
