Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

[jcapulet]

I found a low carb recipe for egg drop soup...gonna try it tonight! Went to Safeway during lunch and got some chicken broth and white pepper. I don't know if the restaurants use that but I've seen lots of egg drop soup recipes calling for it, to add an extra zing.

On Saturday I had egg drop soup from the Chinese restaurant....I noticed it was a little, what's the word...gummy/thicker than liquid? They probably used starch or flour and I ate it all!

Is there anything Atkins friendly that can be used to thicken soup?

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Restaurants toss in cornstarch to thicken the soup. I don't think it really needs it, but they do anyway.

I don't use white pepper for the heat. Yeah, it's probably more traditional, but I like it slightly spicier. So I use chili oil. You're in Virginia so if you're in that part with Safeway or Giant, look for the chili oil in the international foods section. I like the oil because the is alittle on the low fat side, so it adds some fat. Be careful though, chili oil can pack a spicy punch, so add a few drops see how it suits your taste and go up from there.

I also add a drop or two of toasted sesame oil. Again it adds fat to an otherwise lean soup and it also adds a nice Asian flavor.

All this soup talk has got me thinking.....I might have to make some tonight for my dinner!!!!

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Oops, I posted before I addressed the thickening part. You can add gum thickeners like guar or xanthum gum, but frankly, I find they make the liquid thicker and...how shall we say this...slimier. Some people aren't bothered by the slimy texture, but I'm not one of them (eventhough I love okra....)

I have tried using psylluim husks with moderate success. It comes to 1 teaspoon psyllium husks to 1 cup broth.

The other thing I've read about, but haven't tried is to add a bit of unflavored gelatin to the broth. It's something like 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin/cup broth, softened in cold water then added to the boiling broth. It's supposed to give canned broth a better texture and somewhat improved the flavor. Again, I haven't tried this, so I can't guarantee if it will work.

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Restaurants toss in cornstarch to thicken the soup. I don't think it really needs it, but they do anyway.

I don't use white pepper for the heat. Yeah, it's probably more traditional, but I like it slightly spicier. So I use chili oil. You're in Virginia so if you're in that part with Safeway or Giant, look for the chili oil in the international foods section. I like the oil because the is alittle on the low fat side, so it adds some fat. Be careful though, chili oil can pack a spicy punch, so add a few drops see how it suits your taste and go up from there.

I also add a drop or two of toasted sesame oil. Again it adds fat to an otherwise lean soup and it also adds a nice Asian flavor.

All this soup talk has got me thinking.....I might have to make some tonight for my dinner!!!!

I don't think I've ever tried white pepper, so it's hard to tell...but the chilli oil sounds interesting! I was looking for sesame oil in Safeway, but they didn't have it (it's a small store).

Hehe I won't be the only having soup for dinner!

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Oops, I posted before I addressed the thickening part. You can add gum thickeners like guar or xanthum gum, but frankly, I find they make the liquid thicker and...how shall we say this...slimier. Some people aren't bothered by the slimy texture, but I'm not one of them (eventhough I love okra....)

I have tried using psylluim husks with moderate success. It comes to 1 teaspoon psyllium husks to 1 cup broth.

The other thing I've read about, but haven't tried is to add a bit of unflavored gelatin to the broth. It's something like 1/2 teaspoon unflavored gelatin/cup broth, softened in cold water then added to the boiling broth. It's supposed to give canned broth a better texture and somewhat improved the flavor. Again, I haven't tried this, so I can't guarantee if it will work.

Thanks for the info! I'm going to try the traditional recipe first, then see how unflavored gelatin works...I might have some at home.

[sadie147]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

I was going to mention psyllium as well, I've had some success with it too. You just have to be careful not to add too much or you get sort of a 'snotty' texture ...sorry I know that's preety gross but the best way to describe it ...

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

I was going to mention psyllium as well, I've had some success with it too. You just have to be careful not to add too much or you get sort of a 'snotty' texture ...sorry I know that's preety gross but the best way to describe it ...

LOL!!! Nothing like snotty soup for dinner...

I'm paranoid abotu metamucil...took it once and it made me...too regular. Although that should have been expected because I drank TWO full glasses.

Flaxseed bread is great though!

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Again, I don't know what part of Virginia you are in (and you don't have to reveal it on-line!!!), but there is a fabulous Asian supermarket called "Super H" on Lee Highway, in Fairfax. Lots of lots of stuff there!

If you can find chili oil, I recommend it. Be aware of the KAME brand....it has a garlicky undertaste that I don't particularly like.

The other thing you can try is srirachi sauce, an Asian chili sauce (100000000 times better than Tabasco, imho), or sambal oelek, an Asian chili paste (actually it's a chunky sauce). They don't have fat, but they do pack a nice heat and pepper flavor.

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Again, I don't know what part of Virginia you are in (and you don't have to reveal it on-line!!!), but there is a fabulous Asian supermarket called "Super H" on Lee Highway, in Fairfax. Lots of lots of stuff there!

If you can find chili oil, I recommend it. Be aware of the KAME brand....it has a garlicky undertaste that I don't particularly like.

The other thing you can try is srirachi sauce, an Asian chili sauce (100000000 times better than Tabasco, imho), or sambal oelek, an Asian chili paste (actually it's a chunky sauce). They don't have fat, but they do pack a nice heat and pepper flavor.

I'm in northern VA, near DC. I don't mind revealing where I am.

I'll definitely watch out for the Kame brand. I'm not crazy about tabasco sauce, so I'll probably see what the stores have for chilli sauces. There's an international food store down the road...I might go see what they have!

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Super H is a great store....good veggies too. The one I go to is on Georgia Ave, sorta near Walter Reed (I'm allergic to the Wilson Bridge, so no Virginia for me...typically!) I try to visit once every couple of months, load up and head back to the boonies.

If you have Shopper's Food Warehouse or Magruders, try looking for ethnic food there too.

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Super H is a great store....good veggies too. The one I go to is on Georgia Ave, sorta near Walter Reed (I'm allergic to the Wilson Bridge, so no Virginia for me...typically!) I try to visit once every couple of months, load up and head back to the boonies.

If you have Shopper's Food Warehouse or Magruders, try looking for ethnic food there too.

We have SFW and Magruders within 5 minutes by car. Well, SFW is more like an 8 minute ride

Harris Teeter is opening in the next month...a 5 minute walk!! I'm interested in what they'll have.

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Well, I made the egg drop soup..it was ok. Prob was, I should have stirred the egg in the soup to make the long "tendrils." It kinda looked like somone barfed in my bowl ROTFL!!!

Question: Is it better to use a scrambled egg, or egg whites only?

I tried to put a dash of white pepper in...it turned out to be a big dash so my soup was quite spicy Good, but the spiciest egg drop soup I've ever had! :sweating:

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

I typically beat the egg. If you want "noodles", you can beat an egg, flavor it with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic or onion powder. Then oil a microwave safe plate. Pour the egg onto it, so it's in a thinnish layer. Then microwave it for a minute or two. That will give you a flat egg pancake like thing. Cool it slightly, then roll it into a log and slice across for "noodles". Add them to your soup/broth before you serve.

[jcapulet]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

I typically beat the egg. If you want "noodles", you can beat an egg, flavor it with a pinch of salt, pepper, garlic or onion powder. Then oil a microwave safe plate. Pour the egg onto it, so it's in a thinnish layer. Then microwave it for a minute or two. That will give you a flat egg pancake like thing. Cool it slightly, then roll it into a log and slice across for "noodles". Add them to your soup/broth before you serve.

Thanks for the info on making noodles...that sounds yummy!

By tendrils, I just meant the egg consistency similar to the restaurants, not eggy puffballs floating at the top of the soup (hence why it looked like someone barfed in my bowl LMAO!! )

I'm going to try it again tonight...practice makes perfect! Gonna try the eggy noodles too!

[not2late]

Re: Trying out egg drop soup recipe...soup thickeners?

Oh, to make those tendrils, you need to pour in the egg while stirring the broth. So hold the bowl with the egg in one hand and pour while stirring with your other hand. Of course, if you can volunteer someone to help you, one pours and the other stirs.