Vietnamese Chicken Pho Recipe Chicken Noodle Soup

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN PHO RECIPE: CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• In a small saucepan add the oil and gently saute the onion and ginger for a couple of minutes until golden. Set aside.
• Clean and rinse the chicken in cold water, remove excess fat and roughly cut into four pieces.
• In a large pot place the chicken and top with enough cold water to cover the chicken. Add the onions, ginger, spices, fish sauce and salt. Bring to a boil and then simmer over a low heat uncovered for 25 minutes. Discard any scum that comes to the surface.
• Check the chicken is cooked, remove with tongs and set aside for shredding into bite sized pieces.
• Add the bones back into the broth and simmer (don't let boil) for another 25 minutes to 60 minutes if time permits.
• Meanwhile prepare any fresh vegetables and cook the rice noodles according to the packet, do not over cook.
• Once the broth is cooked discard the bones and strain the broth through a sieve. Taste and season with more fish sauce if needed.
• Assemble the cooked noodles into bowls. Top with the shredded chicken. Pour the chicken broth evenly over each bowl. Top with carrot, mung beans, fresh herbs and fresh chili as desired.
• Serve with a lime wedge and chili sauce if desired.

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut the hen into 8 pieces and discard any excess fat. Rinse chicken bones and necks with cold water and place in a stockpot. Add the water and ginger and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 3 hours; do not allow the liquid to boil to ensure a clear broth.
• Remove and discard the hen and bones. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or chinois lined with cheesecloth. Return the broth to a large soup pot and continue to simmer until reduced to a volume of 2 1/2 or 3 quarts. Season with salt, to taste, and keep hot while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare the rice vermicelli according to package directions. Once done, transfer to a colander and drain well. Rinse well under cold running water. Drain thoroughly before using. (The noodles may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead of serving.)
• When ready to serve the soup, for each serving ladle 2 cups of the hot broth into a large soup bowl. Quickly dip the cooked noodles in the remaining hot broth to rewarm, then place a handful of noodles in each bowl. Divide the sliced chicken breast between the bowls, laying the slices over the top of the noodles. Serve the soup immediately, with the fresh cilantro, basil, mint, bean sprouts, lime wedges and jalapeno peppers in baskets on the table for each person to garnish their own soup, as desired. Add chili sauce or fish sauce, to taste, if desired.

QUICK CHICKEN PHO

Steps:

• Prepare the broth ingredients: Peel then slice the ginger into 4 or 5 coins. Smack with the flat side of a knife or meat mallet; set aside. Thinly slice the green parts of the green onion to yield 2 to 3 tablespoons; set aside for garnish. Cut the leftover sections into pinkie-finger lengths, bruise, then add to the ginger. Coarsely chop the leafy tops of the cilantro to yield 2 tablespoons; set aside for garnish. Set the remaining cilantro sprigs aside.
• Simmer the broth: Continue to simmer the broth without the chicken for another 15 to 20 minutes (for a total of 30 minutes simmering time).