Sichuan Hot and Sour Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup rehydrated wood ear mushrooms (, sliced)
• 1 quart chicken broth
• 1 tsp ginger root (, minced)
• 1 hot chili pepper (, sliced for heat or whole for mild heat)
• 3/4 lb chicken thighs ((boneless and skinless), thinly sliced )
• 1/2 cup bamboo shoots (, sliced)
• 1/8 - 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 splash shao hsing wine
• 1/8 cup rice vinegar
• 14 oz tofu (, sliced (extra firm))
• 1 egg
• healthy pinch sichuan peppercorns (, crushed)
• 1/4 tsp cayenne
• up to 3/4 Tbsp chili flavored sesame oil
• 2 tsp cornstarch ((mixed with 1 tsp water))
• green onion (, sliced)