Hot-and-Sour Asian Vegetable Soup

• 6 dried shiitake mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon light olive or peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
• 1 medium onion, quartered and sliced
• 2 or 3 stalks bok choy or 2 large celery stalks, sliced diagonally
• One 14- to 16-ounce can salt-free diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 cup fresh white mushrooms, coarsely chopped
• 4 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper or lemon pepper
• 1 cup snow peas, cut into 1-inch pieces
• One 15-ounce can baby corn, undrained
• 3 to 5 tablespoons rice vinegar, to taste
• Chili oil, cayenne pepper, or Asian hot sauce, to taste
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 8 ounces extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 2 scallions, white and green parts, minced
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl to soak with about 1 cup boiling water and set aside until needed.
2. Heat both oils in a soup pot.
3. Add the onion and saute over low heat until golden.
4. Add the bok choy, tomatoes, white mushrooms, water, and pepper.
5. Bring to a rapid simmer, then lower the heat.
6. Cover and simmer gently until the bok choy is tender-crisp, about 5 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, trim and discard the tough stems of the soaked mushrooms, reserving the broth.
8. Slice the caps.
9. Add them with their broth to the soup.
10. Add the remaining ingredients except the cornstarch.
11. Taste frequently as you add the vinegar and hot seasoning.
12. Simmer over very low heat for 5 minutes longer.
13. Dissolve the cornstarch in 1/4 cup water.
14. Slowly drizzle into the soup while stirring.
15. Simmer over very low heat for another 2 to 3 minutes.
16. Remove from the heat and serve at once.
17. Per serving:
18. Calories: 134
19. Total fat: 6g
20. Protein: 6g
21. Fiber: 5g
22. Carbohydrate: 18g
23. Cholesterol: 0mg
24. Sodium: 380mg

shiitake mushrooms, light olive, dark sesame oil, onion, choy, salt, fresh white mushrooms, water, black pepper, snow peas, baby corn, rice vinegar, chili oil, soy sauce, extrafirm, scallions, cornstarch

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/hot-and-sour-asian-vegetable-soup-378903 (may not work)