Shandong-style Bread Soup

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the Italian Bread Soup is transformed into a Shandong-style dish by incorporating traditional Shandong flavors and ingredients. The original recipe is enhanced with Shandong spices, such as star anise and Sichuan peppercorns, to add a unique and aromatic twist. Additionally, the soup is enriched with Shandong-style meat, such as braised pork or shredded chicken, to give it a heartier and more robust flavor profile. We alse have the original recipe for Bread Soup, so you can check it out.

• 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken broth
• 2 cups (470ml) water 2 cups (470ml) water
• 2 slices of day-old bread, torn into small pieces 2 slices of day-old bread, torn into small pieces
• 200g braised pork or shredded chicken 200g braised pork or shredded chicken
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1 star anise 1 star anise
• 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns 1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro or green onions, for garnish Fresh cilantro or green onions, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring the chicken broth and water to a boil.
2. 2.
   Add the diced onion, carrots, celery, minced garlic, and grated ginger to the pot. Stir well.
3. 3.
   Add the torn bread pieces, braised pork or shredded chicken, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns to the pot. Reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 15 minutes.
4. 4.
   Stir in the soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
5. 5.
   Remove the star anise and Sichuan peppercorns from the soup.
6. 6.
   Ladle the Shandong-style Bread Soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro or green onions.
7. 7.
   Serve hot and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Bread — Using day-old bread works best for this recipe as it will soak up the flavors of the soup without becoming too mushy. If you don't have day-old bread, you can lightly toast fresh bread before tearing it into pieces.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of chili flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the soup.
• Experiment with different types of bread, such as crusty baguette or whole wheat, to add variety to the texture and flavor of the soup.
• If you prefer a thicker consistency, you can blend a portion of the soup before adding the bread.

Serving advice

Serve the Shandong-style Bread Soup as a main course accompanied by a side of steamed rice or a fresh salad. It pairs well with a glass of light-bodied white wine or a refreshing iced tea.

Presentation advice

Garnish each bowl of soup with a sprig of fresh cilantro or green onions to add a pop of color and freshness. Serve the soup in rustic bowls or traditional Chinese soup bowls for an authentic presentation.