14 oz baby corn, drained & rinsed (dry weight of 30 oz can) .
1 c organic low-sugar ketchup .
10 oz bamboo shoots, drained & rinsed (dry weight of 16 oz can) .
1/2 c tamari or soy sauce .
1 c raw sugar .
2 tbsps chives .
2 tbsps peanut oil .
2 tbsps sesame oil .
1/4 tsp ginger .
10 oz water chestnuts, drained & rinsed (dry weight of 16 oz can) .
2 tbsps garlic, minced
Directions
Step #1 Add 9 quarts of water to a 12 quart soup pot on high.
Step #2 Add boullion, ginger, fish oil (optional), rice vinegar, lime juice, raw sugar, ketchup, tamari, sesame oil, hot chili oil, & chives.
Step #3 Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, & let simmer while preparing vegetables.
Step #4 Add ingredients as you prepare them: bagged coleslaw, crimini mushrooms (rinsed & sliced), rinsed & removed from stalks), bagged spinach (or kale, red roasted peppers (sliced), carrots (peeled & sliced).
Step #5 Add canned foods after draining & rinsing thoroughly: water chestnuts, baby corn, & bamboo shoots.
Step #6 In a frying pan, add peanut oil & cook on medium-high heat for a min or two until oil is heated to desired temperature (when the fat begins to "ripple").
Step #7 Add sliced onions & stir this to coat with oil.
Step #8 Add a pinch of salt to absorb water from onions & to speed up caramelizing.
Step #9 Continue to stir the onions.
Step #10 Onions will begin to stick to the pan a bit (which is good) & will begin to darken.
Step #11 If the onions are sticking too much, add a small amount of water to deglaze.
Step #12 Keep stirring.
Step #13 Continue the deglazing process until onions are a deep, rich brown.
Step #14 Add garlic to onions & cook for an extra min.
Step #15 Pour a ladle of soup into the frying pan to stop the cooking process & help loosen any onions & garlic stuck to the frying pan.
Step #16 Add contents of frying pan to soup.
Step #17 Allow soup to cook for several hrs to bring out flavors.
Step #18 Add pepper & crushed red pepper flake to taste.