Chinese•comfort

Tomato Hot Pot Soup Base

If you’re looking for a homemade hot pot soup base, look no further than this tomato hot pot base recipe. It's simple, light, and flavorful!

Ingredients

Quantities are shown as originally provided.

3 dried shiitake mushrooms
2 tablespoons oil ((any neutral oil))
1 large bay leaf
2 slices ginger
2 scallions ((white parts halved lengthwise and cut into 2-inch/5cm pieces and green parts cut into 2-inch/5cm pieces))
3 cloves garlic ((smashed))
1/4 cup tomato paste
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
8 cups water ((or chicken, mushroom, or vegetable broth))

1
Soak the shiitake mushrooms in hot water for 2 hours, or until mostly reconstituted. Rinse them well.
2
Heat a wok or pot over medium heat. Add the oil, bay leaf, ginger, and the white parts of the scallions. Fry until fragrant, about 1 minute.
3
Then add the garlic. Cook for another 30 seconds, and stir in the tomato paste, sugar, and salt. Cook until the oil has a deep red color, about 5 minutes.
4
Then add the broth or water (including any mushroom soaking liquid, being careful to avoid any grit from the mushrooms) along with the soaked shiitake mushrooms.
5
Bring to a simmer, cover, and let the soup simmer for 10 minutes. Add the scallion greens. You’re now ready for hot pot!