Rinse, wipe and slice or chop 200 grams white button mushrooms.
Slice 2 small spring onions (about 1/4 cup sliced spring onion whites). Also finely chop 2 to 3 small to medium garlic cloves, 1/2 inch ginger and 1 small celery stem.
Making Chinese Style Clear Mushroom Soup
Heat 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil in a pan. Then add the chopped garlic and ginger. Saute for a few seconds.
Then add the sliced spring onion whites & saute for a minute. Reserve the spring onion greens to be added later.
Now add the sliced mushrooms and chopped celery.
Stir and saute for two minutes on medium flame.
Then add 3 cups water and stir.
Simmer the soup for 4 to 5 minutes on a low to medium flame without a lid.
Add 1 teaspoon gluten free naturally fermented soy sauce or regular soy sauce. You can add less or more soy sauce as per taste.
Then add 1/2 teaspoon crushed black pepper or pepper powder and salt as per taste. Keep a check on salt as soy sauce already has some salt in it.
Cover with a lid and simmer the soup on a low to medium flame for 15 minutes or till the mushrooms are cooked.
Do check once or twice when the soup is simmering.
When done, switch off the flame. Check the taste and add more soy sauce, black pepper or salt if required.
Lastly add 5 tablespoons chopped spring onion greens. You can also add bit of rice vinegar, if you want.
Serve clear mushroom soup hot with or without any accompaniment.
The soup can also be served as a starter in a main course.