Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Bowl For Two Recipes

VIETNAMESE NOODLES WITH LEMONGRASS CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine Chicken and Marinade ingredients and set aside for at least 1 hour, up to 24 hours. (Note 4)
• Heat 1/2 tbsp oil in a fry pan over medium heat (or heat the BBQ). Remove chicken from marinade, shaking off large bits of lemongrass (small bits should fall off during cooking).
• Place chicken in the pan and cook each side until dark golden brown and chicken is just cooked through - about 6 to 8 minutes in total.
• Remove from pan, shaking off any remaining bits of visible lemongrass and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into thin pieces.
• Combine the Nuoc Cham ingredients and mix well to dissolve the sugar. Adjust to your taste (spiciness, lime, sweetness) and set aside for at least 20 minutes.
• Soak the vermicelli noodles in hot water for 3 minutes (or according to packet instructions), then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the noodles from sticking together.
• Individual servings: Place noodles in bowl. Top with vegetables and herbs, and sliced chicken pieces. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of Nuoc Cham Sauce (be generous, ~ 4 tbsp per serving) and serve with lime wedges.
• DIY (my preferred way): Place chicken, vegetables, herbs, noodles and sauce in separate bowls / piled on platters. Then let everyone make their own bowls!

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE BOWL FOR TWO

Steps:

• Combine chicken and marinade ingredients and set aside for at least 20 minutes.
• Combine the Nuoc Cham ingredients and mix well to dissolve the sugar. Adjust to your taste (spiciness, lime, sweetness) and set aside.
• Soak the vermicelli noodles in hot water for 3 minutes (or according to packet instructions), then drain and rinse under cold water to stop the noodles from sticking together.
• Heat the 1/2 tablespoon oil in a fry pan over medium heat. Remove chicken from marinade and place chicken in the pan and cook each side until dark golden brown and chicken is just cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside to rest for 5 minutes. Then slice into thin pieces.
• Divide the noodles between 2 bowls. Then either top or lightly toss through the vegetables and herbs and top with chicken pieces. Drizzle with a few tablespoons of Nuoc Cham Sauce and serve with lime wedges.

VERMICELLI NOODLE BOWL

Steps:

• Whisk together vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, lime juice, garlic, and red pepper flakes in small bowl. Set the sauce aside.
• Heat vegetable oil a small skillet over medium heat. Add shallots; cook and stir and softened and lightly caramelized, about 8 minutes.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Skewer 4 shrimp on each skewer and grill until they turn pink and are charred on the outside, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add vermicelli noodles and cook until softened, 12 minutes. Drain noodles and rinse with cold water, stirring to separate the noodles.
• Assemble the vermicelli bowl by placing the cooked noodles in one half of each serving bowl and the lettuce and bean sprouts in the other half. Top each bowl with cucumbers, carrots, daikon, cilantro, Thai basil, mint, peanuts, and the caramelized shallots. Serve with shrimp skewers on top and sauce on the side. Pour sauce over the top and toss thoroughly to coat before eating.

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Chicken stock:
• Bring chicken, onion, carrots, celery, and 5 quarts water to a boil in a large heavy pot. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming surface occasionally, until broth is flavorful and reduced by one-fourth, about 2 hours.
• Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl; discard solids. (You should have about 4 quarts). Let cool, then cover and chill.
• DO AHEAD: Stock can be made 5 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and chill.
• Soup:
• Rub chicken legs with five-spice powder, grated ginger, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 tablespoon sugar; let sit 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat broiler. Spread out halved ginger and onions on a rimmed baking sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until charred all over, 15-20 minutes. Add lemongrass, cardamom, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves to onions and ginger and broil until lightly charred and fragrant, about 1 minute.
• Transfer onion mixture to a large heavy pot. Add chicken stock and fish sauce and bring to a boil. Add seasoned chicken, reduce heat, and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, 20-25 minutes.
• Using tongs, transfer chicken to a plate. Let cool slightly, then remove skin and bones; discard. Shred meat. Continue to simmer broth until it reduces slightly and flavors concentrate, 50-60 minutes. Season with more salt and/or sugar, if desired. Strain into a large bowl or clean pot.
• Cook noodles according to package directions. Using tongs or a spider, transfer noodles to a colander and run under cold water to stop cooking; set aside. (Keep pot of boiling water handy for reheating noodles.)
• Just before serving, return noodle cooking water to a boil. Place noodles in a fine-mesh sieve and lower into hot water to reheat, 30 seconds.
• Divide noodles among warm bowls and add shredded chicken and bean sprouts. Ladle hot broth over, dividing evenly. Serve with Spicy Pickled Shallots, herbs, and lime wedges for squeezing over.
• DO AHEAD: Seasoned chicken broth can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool, then cover and chill. Bring to a boil before serving.

QUICK SESAME CHICKEN NOODLE BOWL

Steps:

• Soak the udon noodles in warm water to separate.
• Meanwhile, remove tendon from the tenderloins with a sharp knife. Place tenderloins in a food processor and pulse. You don't want big pieces, or ground chicken, but finely chopped.
• Heat oil in a wok over medium heat until shimmering. Add white parts of green onions, ginger, and garlic. Cook for 30 seconds. Add the chicken and cook and stir until no longer pink in the center, 7 to 10 minutes. Add stir-fry vegetables. Cook until heated through, about 3 minutes.
• Drain the noodles, and add the noodles to the stir-fry mixture.
• Combine oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce, soy sauce, and sesame oil in a bowl. Pour sauce over stir-fry mixture and gently mix in order to avoid breaking the noodles. Garnish with toasted sesame seeds and the green ends of the green onions.