Three Pearls Soup

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined 500g (1.1 lb) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 200g (7 oz) shiitake mushrooms, sliced 200g (7 oz) shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 300g (10.5 oz) firm tofu, cubed 300g (10.5 oz) firm tofu, cubed
• 1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock 1 liter (4 cups) chicken stock
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger, sliced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon cornstarch, dissolved in 2 tablespoons water
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 6g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 12g, 3g
• Protein: 28g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring the chicken stock to a simmer over medium heat.
2. 2.
   Add the garlic, ginger, and soy sauce to the pot and let it infuse for 5 minutes.
3. 3.
   Add the shrimp and mushrooms to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and the mushrooms are tender.
4. 4.
   Gently stir in the tofu cubes and let the soup simmer for another 2 minutes.
5. 5.
   Stir in the cornstarch mixture to thicken the soup slightly.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Drizzle the sesame oil over the soup and give it a final stir.
8. 8.
   Serve the Three Pearls Soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp — Make sure to devein the shrimp properly to remove any grit or sand. You can also use pre-peeled and deveined shrimp to save time.
• Shiitake mushrooms — If fresh shiitake mushrooms are not available, you can use dried ones. Soak them in hot water for 20 minutes before slicing and adding them to the soup.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra kick of flavor, add a dash of Chinese rice wine or Shaoxing wine to the soup.
• If you prefer a spicier soup, add a few slices of fresh chili pepper or a drizzle of chili oil.
• Customize the soup by adding other vegetables such as bok choy or snow peas.
• To make the soup heartier, you can add cooked noodles or rice vermicelli.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop before serving.

Serving advice

Serve the Three Pearls Soup as a starter or as part of a Chinese-inspired meal. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread to make it a more substantial dish.

Presentation advice

To enhance the visual appeal of the soup, arrange the shrimp, mushrooms, and tofu cubes in a symmetrical pattern in each bowl before ladling the broth over them. Garnish with a sprig of fresh cilantro for a pop of color.