The internet is a wonderful tool, and so is blogging. There is so much inspiration around us. This is especially true in the case of foodie blogs. It is so addictive, dangerous even. You may get fixated on some mouth-watering dish created by someone half a world away, and you just have to try it yourself.
I saw a recipe for Chinese noodle broth on Frugal Feeding blog. I could almost smell the warm goodness displayed on my screen. I knew I had to try it.
The recipe I found was ridiculously simple. Just some chicken stock, rice noodles, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, and a few herbs. I literally ran to my pantry. I was out of chicken stock. But, I had cut-up chicken in the freezer. Why not whip up a quick stock and then make the soup?
This is an improvised quick soup put together using items from my freezer and pantry. Nothing fancy at all. Chinese dishes seem so complicated, but all it takes are a few main components. I also made a simple chili-vinegar sauce to go with it.
You will need:
For the Chicken Stock:
- Oil – 2 tbsp
- Onion – 1 medium
- Carrots – 1 or 2
- Ginger – a 2-in piece
- Garlic – a few cloves
- Green chili – 1
- Chicken (Bone-in pieces preferred) – 1 lb
- Cilantro leaves – a smallish bunch (Frugal Feeding used bay leaves and thyme for his broth, I made do with cilantro. I always freeze some cilantro, to use in curries and soups. I love the flavor!)
- Soy sauce – 1 tsp
- Water – 6-7 cups
- Salt – to taste
For the Rice Noodle Soup:
- Rice noodles – around 150 gm, or use as much as you need.
- Chicken stock
For the Chili-Vinegar Sauce:
- Green chilies – 2 or 3 medium-sized ones
- White vinegar – 2 tbsp (I am pretty sure you need to use something fancy like rice wine vinegar, but white vinegar will work in a pinch.)
- Water – 2 tbsp
- Soy sauce – a dash
How to:
- Heat oil in a large pot.
- Chop up the ginger, garlic, onions and carrots roughly. Add to the pot and saute for a couple of minutes.
- Add the chicken, cilantro leaves and a teaspoon or so of soy sauce. Soy sauce is a really strong flavor and you need just a little.
- Add 6-7 cups of water. Season with salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat, close the pot and let it simmer for at least an hour. Skim off the froth that collects on the top once or twice.
- Strain the stock, set the carrot chunks and chicken pieces aside.
- Add the hot stock back to the pot. Add the rice noodles into the hot stock, cover and let it cook. (If your noodles need to be cooked separately, feel free to do so. I used the Maifun thin rice noodles that gets cooked in hot liquid.)
- Meanwhile, slice the green chilies and mix together with the rest of the sauce ingredients in a small dish. The heat of the chilies will flavor the liquid, providing a flavorful garnish.
- To serve, ladle the noodle soup into a bowl. Add a couple of the carrot chunks and some shredded chicken. Garnish with some chilies and add a dash of the vinegar sauce for some heat.
- Eat up, and be happy!
This was the perfect supper for an unusually cold spring day. By the way, what’s with the weather in Texas? Its the end of April and C.O.L.D!!
Do you make soup? Do you improvise on recipes from other sources?
I am linking up my posts to parties at these awesome blogs.
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Linda says
Thanks for sharing the rice recipe. I’m not a big rice person but I know my sister is so thanks a lot. I also am following you on Bloglovin and Pinterest. Your friend, Linda
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for visiting. Glad your sister likes rice dishes!
I am following you back!!
Lisa says
This looks so good! Thanks so much for linking up with “Try a New Recipe Tuesday!” I hope you will be able to join us again this week. 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for visiting!
Susan Kay says
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it as well! I hope you’ll come share it with me at my new linking party! “http://www.fidlersunderoneroof.com/2013/05/link-party-1.html. Hope to see you there!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for the invite. Will be coming over.
Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. says
This looks like real comfort food!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you for visiting. It is amazing comfort food!
thejennyevolution says
Visiting from Monday Funday. I’d like to invite you to my Friday Flash Blog, where you can share your best blog entry of the week! The party goes on ALL weekend at thejennyevolution.com. And who knows, you may just get featured next week.
Jennifer
thejennyevolution.com
Ruth@LivingWellSpendingLess says
Perfect for that cold weather in Texas! Sounds yummy – I pinned it 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for visiting! Hope you’ll try it. It is so comforting!!
jacquelyn karlic says
Hi! Found you on Whimsey Wed link up. This looks great. I am obsessed with making and eating soup and have never tried one like this. Yum! Now following you on Bloglovin’
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you! Will be following you back!
Hope you try out this recipe.
amber says
Thanks for sharing at the Give Me The Goods Link Party!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for visiting!
Alexandra says
yum! I love a great light and healthy soup. coming over from Give me the Goods link party.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thanks for visiting!
Jeni says
The soup sounds so yummy! It is raining here, and this would be delicious!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
It’s absolutely heavenly for a rainy day. Try it!
Thanks for visiting!!
jennyeanes says
Oh My! I can’t wait to try this! It looks delicious;) Pinning!
Jenny from diywithjenandb.blogspot.com
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
It is so comforting and yummy! Hope you try it. Thanks for visiting and pinning!!