How to Make Egg Flower Soup

Do you love the warm and comforting feeling of a bowl of soup? Then you definitely need to try making egg flower soup! This classic Chinese soup is easy to make and packed with flavor. Don’t be intimidated by its fancy name – egg flower soup is a simple and satisfying dish that can be made in just a few steps.

To make egg flower soup, you only need a few basic ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen. Start with a good-quality chicken broth and add some vegetables like carrots and mushrooms. The real magic happens when you pour in the beaten eggs, which turn into delicate, silky ribbons as they cook in the hot broth. The result is a nourishing and delicious soup that is perfect for any occasion. So, put on your apron and let’s learn how to make egg flower soup!

The Ingredients You’ll Need

To make a delicious egg flower soup, you’ll need a few essential ingredients that can be easily found in your local grocery store. These ingredients include:

1. Chicken or vegetable broth – 6-8 cups
2. Eggs – 4 large
3. Cornstarch – 2 tablespoons
4. Water – 1/4 cup
5. Salt – 1 teaspoon
6. White pepper – 1/4 teaspoon
7. Soy sauce – 1 tablespoon
8. Sesame oil – 1 teaspoon
9. Green onions – 2 stalks, finely chopped
10. Carrots – 1/2 cup, julienned

Preparing the Broth

The first step in making egg flower soup is to prepare the broth. Take a large pot and pour 6-8 cups of chicken or vegetable broth into it. Then add julienned carrots and finely chopped green onions to the pot and let them simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes. This allows the flavors to merge together and create a delicious, aromatic broth.

Mixing the Cornstarch

While the broth is simmering, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch with 1/4 cup of water in a small bowl until it forms a smooth paste. This mixture will help thicken the soup.

Whisking the Eggs

In a separate bowl, whisk 4 large eggs until the yolks and whites are well combined. Set them aside until the broth is ready.

Adding Cornstarch Mixture to Broth

Once the broth has simmered for 10-15 minutes, add the cornstarch mixture to it while stirring continuously. This will help the broth thicken and become slightly creamy.

Stirring in Eggs

Once the broth has thickened, reduce the heat to low and slowly pour the whisked eggs into the pot while stirring gently. The eggs will cook and form thin strands in the broth, creating the “egg flower” effect. Make sure to stir slowly and gently to avoid breaking the egg strands.

Seasoning the Soup

Add 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of white pepper, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, and 1 teaspoon of sesame oil to the pot. Continue to stir the soup gently to incorporate all the ingredients.

Testing the Flavor

Before serving, taste the soup to make sure it’s seasoned to your liking. If it needs more salt, add a pinch at a time until it reaches the desired taste.

Serving the Soup

Once the soup is seasoned to perfection, it’s ready to serve. Ladle it into bowls and garnish with some finely chopped green onions. This egg flower soup makes a great appetizer or meal on its own.

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftover egg flower soup, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply warm it up on the stovetop over low heat until it reaches the desired temperature. Avoid overheating it as it can cause the eggs to become rubbery and lose their texture.

Ingredients Needed for Egg Flower Soup

Making a delicious and savory egg flower soup might sound daunting, but it is surprisingly easy once you have all the required ingredients ready. Here are the ingredients that will be needed:

1. Chicken broth: To make an authentic and delicious egg flower soup, chicken broth is the base ingredient required. You can either make the broth from scratch or use packaged broth available in the market.

2. Eggs: The star ingredient for the egg flower soup is undoubtedly the egg. Make sure to use fresh eggs for the best results.

3. Cornstarch: Cornstarch is used as a thickening agent and helps the soup to maintain its consistency.

4. Soy sauce: Soy sauce is used for seasoning the soup and adding some saltiness and umami flavor.

5. Ginger and garlic: Fresh ginger and minced garlic add some extra flavor and aroma to the soup.

6. Green onions: Sliced green onions are used for garnishing the soup and adding some freshness.

7. Mushrooms: Sliced mushrooms are added to the soup to make it more nutritious and fulfilling.

8. White pepper powder: White pepper powder is used to add a bit of spiciness and depth to the soup.

9. Vegetable oil: A small quantity of vegetable oil is used for sautéing the ginger and garlic.

10. Water: Water is used for making chicken broth and adding some extra liquid to the soup.

Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can start preparing the egg flower soup. It might seem like a long list of ingredients, but most of them are widely available and can be easily found in your local grocery store. With all the ingredients ready, let’s move on to the next step – preparing the soup!

Ingredients for Egg Flower Soup

Making a delicious egg flower soup requires the use of certain ingredients. Below are the commonly used ingredients for preparing a savory egg flower soup:

Preparing Egg Flower Soup

Below are the detailed steps on how to prepare a tasty egg flower soup that will make your taste buds tingle with joy:

Step 1: Mix the cornstarch with the chicken broth

In a bowl, stir the cornstarch with a few tablespoons of the chicken broth until it dissolves. This process helps to thicken the soup and create a smooth texture.

Step 2: Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger and pepper to the chicken broth

Mix in the soy sauce, minced garlic, ginger, and pepper to the chicken broth mixture. Stir thoroughly and put the pot on low heat.

Step 3: Saute the vegetables

In a separate saucepan or wok, stir fry the mushrooms and carrots until tender. Add these cooked vegetables into the pot of chicken broth mixture and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes.

Step 4: Egg mixture preparation

In a bowl, whisk the eggs and sesame oil until they are thoroughly mixed. Once the soup mixture has been simmering for about 10-15 minutes, pour in the egg mixture slowly while stirring constantly.

Step 5: Let your Egg Flower Soup simmer

Finally, let the soup simmer for 3-5 more minutes allowing the egg to cook completely.

Serving Egg Flower Soup

Once your egg flower soup is ready, you can serve in a soup bowl while hot. You can sprinkle some green onions on the soup as garnish. Feel free to pair it with toasted baguette for that extra crunch.

Variations of Egg Flower Soup

Here are some of the variations of egg flower soup that you can try with this recipe:

Egg Flower Soup with Chicken:

Add some diced cooked chicken while simmering the soup mixture. This adds an extra protein to the soup and gives it some extra flavor.

Egg Drop Soup with Corn:

In addition to the vegetables, add some sweet corn kernels while simmering the soup mixture. It adds a naturally sweet taste to the soup.

Egg Drop Soup with Tofu:

For a healthier option, take a cube of silken tofu and dice it into small pieces. Add it to the soup mixture while simmering. The tofu adds extra texture and protein to the soup.

The Origin of Egg Flower Soup

Egg flower soup, also known as egg drop soup, is a Chinese soup traditionally served as an appetizer. It is believed that this soup was created by the Chinese in the Tang dynasty around the 7th century. Some variations of the soup include mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and bone broth. This soup quickly spread throughout China and became a popular dish to have during the cold winter months. Today, egg flower soup is popular around the world and has been adapted to suit various pallets.

Thanks for Reading!

I hope you enjoyed learning how to make egg flower soup. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different ingredients to make it your own. It’s always refreshing to try new recipes. Please come back again soon for more cooking tips and recipes. Happy cooking!