Velvet Corn Soup Recipes

VELVETY CHICKEN CORN SOUP

Steps:

• In a medium stock pot combine broth, corn and chicken. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and add pepper and salt. Bring back to a boil.
• In a separate bowl mix the corn starch with water. While the soup is boiling add this mixture, and stir constantly until well mixed.
• Season with sesame oil by adding a few drops at a time. Reduce heat, and slowly add egg white while swirling the soup with a fork in order to break egg pieces apart.
• Add chopped scallion to garnish, and serve hot.

VELVET CORN SOUP

Steps:

• About 10 to 15 minutes before serving, put individual soup bowls in a low oven to warm. Have all the ingredients within easy reach of your stovetop.
• Set a heavy non-aluminum stockpot over high heat until hot enough to evaporate a bead of water. Add the oil to the pot, swirl to coat the bottom, then reduce the heat to medium-high. When the oil is hot enough to sizzle a bit of scallion, add the scallion and ginger, adjusting the heat so they sizzle without scorching. When fully fragrant, about 10 to 15 seconds, add the ham or crab. Stir briskly to combine, about 10 seconds, then add the wine. Wait a split second for it to "explode" in an aromatic hiss, then toss the meat briskly several times and immediately add the stock. Stir to blend, add the corn, and stir again. Bring the mixture to a near-boil over moderate heat. Stir frequently and watch that the heat does not climb too high, lest the corn burn.
• Reduce the heat to low, taste, add salt as required. Dissolve the cornstarch in the 2 tablespoons cold chicken stock. Stir the cornstarch mixture to recombine it, pour it evenly into the soup, and stir gently for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes glossy and slightly thick. Turn off the heat, Beat the egg whites lightly with a fork or chopsticks to break the gel. They will froth a bit, but do not beat to a foam. Add them to the soup in a thin, steady stream, pouring from a stationary spot about 6-inches above the pot. Stir gently once midway, then again after all the egg whites have been added, to bring the lacy threads to the surface.
• Serve at once, ladling the soup into the heated bowls and garnishing each with a sprinkling of coriander or chopped scallion. Or, cover the pot and keep the soup warm over the lowest possible heat. It will keep nicely this way for an hour, if you need to cook in advance.
• Leftovers keep well 4 to 5 days, refrigerated, and also survive freezing in remarkably good shape. Rewarm in a heavy pot over moderately low heat, stirring frequently.

VELVET CHICKEN AND CORN SOUP

Steps:

• Bring water to a boil in medium saucepan over high heat.
• Add chicken and water chestnuts.
• Stir until chicken turns white, about 10 seconds.
• Drain the chicken and water chestnuts in a large, fine mesh strainer.
• In a large pot, bring chicken stock to a boil.
• Add corn, salt and sugar.
• Stir and return to a boil.
• Dissolve cornstarch in 1/4 cup of cold water in small bowl.
• Beat egg whites in small bowl until foamy.
• Add chicken mix to the stock.
• Stir in cornstarch mix and stir about 10 seconds, stirring constantly.
• Drizzle egg whites into soup in such a way the whites turn into strands.
• Add peas and season with more salt, if desired.
• Serve immediately.

VELVETY CHILLED CORN SOUP

Steps:

• Using cleaver or heavy large knife, cut each ear of corn crosswise in half. Place corn in heavy large pot. Add 5 cups broth, shallots, and onion; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until corn is very tender, about 25 minutes. Using tongs, transfer corn to large bowl to cool; reserve broth.
• Cut corn kernels off cobs. Return 4 cups corn kernels to broth (reserve any remaining corn for another use). Working in batches, puree soup in blender until very smooth. Strain soup through fine sieve set over large bowl, pressing on solids with back of spoon; discard solids. Mix in enough additional chicken broth to thin soup to consistency of heavy cream. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate soup until cold, about 4 hours. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Ladle soup into 6 bowls. Top each with dollop of crème fraîche. Sprinkle with cucumber and chives and serve.

CHICKEN VELVET SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a pot over medium-high heat. Whisk flour into butter until mixture forms a smooth paste, about 1 minute.
• Whisk chicken broth, milk, and light cream into butter mixture; cook and stir until mixture comes to a boil and thickens, 5 to 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, stir in cooked chicken. Return soup to a boil and cook until chicken is heated through, 5 to 10 minutes.