Chicken noodle of the future or Neo-noodle soup
By esther on Thursday, July 5 2007, 17:45 - Soup with heart - Permalink
Everyone knows that chicken soup has healing powers. It's a fact based on years of scientific research and old wives’ tales. I know that the warm chicken broth and slurpy noodles that my grandmother prepared (straight out of the can) made my snuffled nose and general allover terrible feeling almost worth it. I got to thinking about this lately because I've been bogged down with a terribly autumn cold in the middle of July, thanks to the never-ending rain here in Paris.
Traditional chicken noodle soup is good and comforting but it's well...traditional. On a healing power scale from 1 to 10, traditional chicken noodle doesn't hold a candle to this Asian inspired recipe. Not only do you have the steaming goodness of a delicious chicken broth but you also get an energizing sweat inducing kick in the pants from the garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and red Thai pepper. You are warmed up and cleared up immediately or your money back guaranteed.
The other advantage is that it only takes 20 minutes to throw together. I managed to squeeze it in between my morning and mid-morning couch napping sessions in front of the TV. By the time you are finished preparing the vegetables, the broth is already simmering and infused with really intense flavor. It is as close as you can get to non-instant instant soup and it definitely beats the can of Campbell's.
Hint: I have developed a secret technique for the noodle stage of this process. I don't cook the noodles in the broth because I can't stand when they get that overcooked nondescript texture, especially the day after. Instead, I prepare the noodles separately and dress them with a little oil. Then you spoon the broth over the noodles as needed so that they maintain their form.
Neo-noodle soup! (based loosely on this)
6 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
2 chicken breasts
1/2 sweet yellow pepper
1/2 medium size zucchini
3 small carrots
2-3 cloves garlic
2 stalks fresh lemongrass
1 1/2 Tbsp. grated fresh ginger
1 red Thai pepper
1 package cellophane noodles
1/2 tsp. dark sesame oil
In a large pot combine chicken broth and water. Set to simmer and add the chopped garlic, grated ginger, lemongrass cut lengthwise, and 1/2 Thai pepper. Be sure to remove the seeds from the pepper since that is where all the heat is. It is easy to gradually increase the heat but you can't get rid of it once the pepper is infused. Test the flavor along the way and adjust to taste.
While the broth is coming together, finely chop the bell pepper, julienne the zucchini and slice the carrots. The flower technique depends on how sick you really are. Cut the chicken breasts into thin strips and then add everything to the broth. Cook for a few minutes or until the chicken is opaque. Cover and remove from heat.
Place the cellophane noodles in a separate bowl and cover with boiling water. Let them sit in the hot water for about 5 minutes. Drain and dress with the sesame oil. Mix well so that the noodles don't stick together.
Serve the noodles, top with broth and vegetables and garnish with fresh coriander, lime, and more pepper (if you dare).
Comments
Genius creative ability I say.
I can't wait until my next cold :)
Oy vey! What am I saying???
I was just about to say that I want to get sick so that I can have some of your chicken noodle soup but I take it back :) I don't think that soup ever looked so attractive before.
I like the tip on the noodle.
Wow! Beautiful picture. It looks delicious, great adaptation on the recipe.
Kanchana
Hehe..being sick never sounded so much fun! I can smell it from here....since my nose is not blocked anymore... Thanks for the great recipe!
Tried it, nice flavours and while the neo-noodle clears out the sinuses, healing it is not. Chick soup is a whole other business: a chicken cooked mit carrrots, zucchini, parsnip, parsley and a leek. Mm, healing.
I'm Sophie, Key Ingredient's Chief Blogger. We would like to feature this recipe on our blog. Please email sophiekiblogger@gmail.com if interested. Thanks :)
Sophie
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