Hot and Sour Tofu Soup

Grrrrrgh!
Course : Soups
From: HungryMonster.com
Serves: 6
 

Ingredients:

8 medium shiitake mushrooms -- dried
1 1/2 teaspoons salad oil
1 clove garlic
1 tablespoons fresh ginger root -- minced
8 cups low sodium chicken broth
2 ounces linguini -- broken into 3 inch piece
1 pound tofu -- rinsed and drained -- cut into 1/2 inch cubes
3 tablespoons seasoned rice vinegar
5 teaspoons soy sauce, low sodium
3 tablespoons cornstarch -- mixe with 1/4c.water
4 bunches green onions -- thinly sliced
2 teaspoons chili oil
 

Preparation:

1. Soak mushrooms in boiling water to cover until soft (about 20 minutes). Drain; cut off and discard coarse stems. Cut caps into thin strips; set aside. 2. Heat salad oil in a 4 or 5 quart pan over medium heat. Add garlic and ginger. Cook, stirring until garlic is light golden (about 2 minutes); if pan appears dry or garlic sticks to pan bottom, stir in water, 1 tablespoon at a time. add broth and mushrooms; bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in pasta; reduce heat, cover, and boil gently just until pasta is tender to bite ( 8 to 10 minutes; or according to package directions). 3. Add tofu, vinegar, and soy sauce. Stir cornstarch mixture; add to soup, stirring until smooth. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, just until soup comes to a boil and thickens slightly. Add onions; ladle into bowls. Offer chili oil to add to taste.