Chicken Egg Drop Soup with Shiitake Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 1 cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 5 dried shiitake mushrooms, soaked and sliced, or 5 fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 3 large eggs, well beaten
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• Up to 1/2 cup strained mushroom soaking liquid, optional
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons water, optional
• 1/2 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 scallion, thinly sliced
• Salt, to taste
• White pepper, to taste, optional
• Pinch of turmeric or food coloring, optional

Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the ingredients. Shred the cooked chicken and...: Prepare the ingredients. Shred the cooked chicken and slice the scallion.

2. 2

   Prepare the mushrooms. If using dried shiitake mushrooms,...: Prepare the mushrooms. If using dried shiitake mushrooms, soak them in warm water for about 15 minutes, or until softened. Remove the mushrooms, slice them, and strain the soaking liquid through a fine-mesh strainer or coffee filter to remove any grit. If using fresh mushrooms, simply slice them.

3. 3

   Make the soup base. Add the chicken broth...: Make the soup base. Add the chicken broth to a medium pot and bring it to a boil. Add the sliced shiitake mushrooms, shredded chicken, and up to ½ cup of the strained mushroom soaking liquid, if using.

4. 4

   Thicken the soup, if desired. Stir the cornstarch...: Thicken the soup, if desired. Stir the cornstarch slurry again, then slowly pour it into the soup while stirring. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, until the broth thickens slightly.

5. 5

   Add the eggs. Reduce the heat so the...: Add the eggs. Reduce the heat so the soup is at a gentle simmer. Slowly drizzle in the beaten eggs while gently stirring in one direction with chopsticks, a fork, or a spoon. For larger egg ribbons, wait a few seconds before stirring.

6. 6

   Finish the soup. Remove the pot from the...: Finish the soup. Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in the sesame oil and season with salt and white pepper to taste.

7. 7

   Serve. Garnish with sliced scallions and serve hot.