Hot and Sour Soup

Who doesn't like the tangy Indianised Chinese hot and Sour Soup that is so popular? 

I still doubt if the Chinese ever prepare that variation, but I am sure every Indo-chinese food loving loves this spicy sour soup! 
I prepare it with a mix of veggies (popular in the indo-chinese food), and in goes a good quantity of the spice lending humble garlic, ginger and chilli.
It is simple to make, and filling in itself. It can make up for a meal ( for the weight-watchers) or can be followed by sumptuous Chinese Fried Rice. (The recipe shall follow) 

What goes in: 

Finely Shredded cabbage 1/4 cup
Finely shredded cabbage 1/4 cup
Shredded capsicum - half of the capsicum
finely chopped garlic - 1 tsp 
Finely chopped green chilli - 1 tsp 
Finely chopped / grated garlic - 1 tsp 
Salt to taste
Oil/Butter - 1 tsp 
Corn flour - 2-3 tbsp 
Soya Sauce - 2 tbsp
Water or vegetable stock - 4 cups
Vinegar - 1 tsp 


How you make it: 

1. Take a big pan and heat the oil/butter.
   
2. Add the Chilles, garlic and ginger. Saute it for a bit, watch that the garlic doesn't brown. (Browned garlic lends a different flavour, which is quite indian) 
   
3. Put in the shredded vegetables and add some salt. This will moisten the veggies and they'll start to cook. You do not want to overcook them, soup is always better wit crunchy veggies. 
   
4. After about 5 minutes of sauteeing, add water and bring to a boil. You can add as much water, as the number of soup takers. this means you will have to adjust the veggies. 
5. Add the soya sauce, and then add salt. Soya sauce contains some salt, so you would want to taste first and then add the salt. 
6. Bring to a good boil. 
7. Take a small bowl and mix cornflour with 3-4 tbsp cold water. Put this mix into the boiling soup. in about a minute, you will see that the soup has thickened. Check the thickness. You may want to add more of the cornstarch to have a thicker soup. 
8. Mix in the vinegar and turn off the stove.
9. And the hot and sour is ready. Enjoy!!!

Some gyan: 

•  If you would like Clear veg soup, leave out the soya sauce and vinegar. Moderate the chilli, cut out the garlic and ginger. Add a handful of green peas, and serve with a dash of lemon and coriander. Clear Veg soup is not very spicy. 
• Vinegar/lime juice should be mixed after the soup boils and after you turn off the flame.