LEMONGRASS CHICKEN SOUP

Lemongrass Chicken Soup image

Provided by Martha Stewart

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 pounds skinless chicken legs
4 lemongrass stalks, white and pale-yellow parts only, smashed and chopped
4 scallions, halved crosswise
1 onion, halved lengthwise
2 ounces ginger (1-inch piece), 1/2 thinly sliced and 1/2 julienned
1 fresh Thai or serrano chile, seeded
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
10 cups water
5 stems fresh cilantro, plus 1/3 cup leaves
3 stems fresh mint, plus 1/4 cup thinly sliced leaves
1 1/2 tablespoons fish sauce
1 cup mung bean sprouts

Steps:

Place chicken, lemongrass, scallions, onion, sliced ginger, chile, peppercorns, and water in a large pot. Cover, and bring to a simmer. Uncover partially, and gently simmer for 1 hour.
Add cilantro and mint stems, and simmer for 15 minutes. Add fish sauce, and strain through a cheesecloth-lined sieve. Reserve broth and chicken. Discard remaining solids. Shred chicken meat, and discard bones. Refrigerate broth and chicken separately for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
Skim fat from broth, and reheat broth. Combine chicken, julienned ginger, cilantro leaves, thinly sliced mint, and bean sprouts in a bowl. Divide broth among bowls, and serve with chicken mixture on the side.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 327 g, Cholesterol 181 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, Sodium 727 g