TOM YUM - THAI HOT AND SOUR SOUP

Steps:

• Soak the wood ears in warm water for 20-30 minutes until they swell up and become soft.
• Rinse under cold water, and cut into thin ribons, discarding any hard centers; set aside.
• Slice tofu into long thin strips; set aside.
• Bring the 4 cups of water to a boil in a soup pot; add the soy sauce, black pepper, garlic, sugar, vinegar, sambal oelek, and salt and stir to blend.
• Lower heat to medium and cook for several minutes.
• Add the bamboo shoots and cook for a minute before adding the wood ears, the tofu, and the sesame oil.
• Cook the soup for 2-3 minutes, then stir in the cornstarch which should be dissolved in the 1 tablespoonful of water.
• Beat the egg yolks lightly and slide into the soup; turn off the heat and DO NOT STIR.
• The egg will cook into the hot soup and stay in pieces (if you stir it will shrivel).
• Pour soup into serving bowls and garnish with strips of red pepper and cilantro leaves.