Tomato Egg Drop Soup

Egg drop soup is an easy Chinese favorite and a delicious dinner starter. The English name—rather literally—comes from dropping a raw, lightly-beaten egg into hot chicken broth, but the direct Chinese translation is "egg flower soup" because of the floating petal-like pattern that the egg makes as it cooks and swirls.

There are many variations of egg drop soup to suit all taste buds, and this tomato variation is a simple, but tasty spin, especially in the summertime when tomatoes are at their peak. Featuring easy-to-find ingredients that you may already have in your pantry and fridge, this recipe gives you all the flavors you'd expect from a Chinese restaurant. Once you get the "dropping" technique down, feel free to customize this recipe and use add-ins of your choice. Mushrooms and tofu, for example, add great texture and flavor.

Try it as a quick lunch option or a light appetizer before your favorite Chinese main.