CHICKEN PHO SOUP (FAUX)

CHICKEN PHO SOUP (FAUX) image

Number Of Ingredients 16

10 cups chicken broth
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 1/4 ounces fresh ginger, 4 1/2 inch thick slices
2 tablespoons nam pla (fish sauce)
3 cloves garlic, halved
2 star anise
10 whole cloves
1 large boneless chicken breast, trimmed
8 ounces fresh bean sprouts
12 baby carrots, sliced in thirds
8 ounces cellophane noodles or bean thread noodles, pre cut
3 green onions, sliced
1/2 lb shrimp, cleaned and shelled
lime wedges
1/2 cup cilantro leaves
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves

Steps:

Bring large pot of water to boil, then remove from heat. Add noodles to the pot; let stand until tender, about 15 minutes, then drain and set aside in a large serving bowl. Combine chicken broth, onion slices, fish sauce, sliced baby carrots and chicken in a soup pot; bring to a simmer. In a cheesecloth or tea infuser, add the whole cloves, sliced ginger, garlic, star anise and place in the soup pot with the chicken. Simmer the chicken, vegetables and spice mixture for about 30 minutes, until chicken is tender and cooked through. Remove chicken and cool it until you can cut into cubes; place back into the simmering soup pot. Remove the cheesecloth or tea infuser, discard ingredients inside. Add bean sprouts and shrimp and simmer for about 5 more minutes. Ladle the soup into the large serving bowl with the noodles. Add the green onions, cilantro and mint leaves to the serving bowl. Serve with fresh lime wedges.