Jiangsu-style Mushroom Soup

Ingredients

In this adaptation, the original Croatian Zagorska juha s vrganjima is transformed into a Jiangsu-style soup. The key differences lie in the choice of ingredients and the cooking techniques. While the original dish uses local Croatian ingredients and flavors, the Jiangsu-style Mushroom Soup incorporates ingredients commonly found in Jiangsu cuisine, such as shiitake mushrooms, Chinese herbs, and light seasonings. The cooking method is also adjusted to achieve the desired texture and flavor characteristic of Jiangsu dishes. We alse have the original recipe for Zagorska juha s vrganjima, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh shiitake mushrooms 500g (1.1 lb) fresh shiitake mushrooms
• 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth 1 liter (4 cups) vegetable broth
• 2 slices of ginger 2 slices of ginger
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine 1 tablespoon Shaoxing wine
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 2g, 0.3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 5g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the shiitake mushrooms and remove the stems. Slice the caps into thin strips.
2. 2.
   In a pot, bring the vegetable broth to a simmer over medium heat.
3. 3.
   Add the ginger slices and minced garlic to the broth and let them infuse for 5 minutes.
4. 4.
   Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms to the pot and simmer for another 10 minutes.
5. 5.
   Stir in the soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, sesame oil, sugar, and salt. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Remove the ginger slices from the soup.
7. 7.
   Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shiitake mushrooms — Make sure to clean the mushrooms thoroughly and remove the tough stems before slicing. If fresh shiitake mushrooms are not available, you can use rehydrated dried shiitake mushrooms instead. Soak them in warm water until soft, then slice and proceed with the recipe.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a few drops of black vinegar to the soup just before serving.
• If you prefer a thicker soup, you can dissolve 1 tablespoon of cornstarch in a little water and add it to the simmering soup. Stir well until the soup thickens.

Serving advice

Serve the Jiangsu-style Mushroom Soup hot as a comforting appetizer or light main course. Accompany it with steamed rice or crusty bread for a more substantial meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, garnish the soup with a sprinkle of finely chopped green onions in addition to the fresh cilantro leaves. Serve it in elegant bowls to showcase the clear broth and the beautiful slices of shiitake mushrooms.