SIZZLING RICE SOUP HONOLULU

Steps:

• Rice: This step is done the night before, or 1 hour before if the rice is to be dried in a microwave oven; in a large saucepan or Dutch oven combine rice and water over high heat.
• Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to medium and cook 10 minutes then reduce heat to low and cook an additional 30 minutes WITHOUT removing lid.
• The crusty rice around the sides and bottom will stick to the pan and will be used in the soup.
• Take off the top layer of soft rice and reserve for another use.
• Lift out the crusty rice and place on a cookie sheet to dry at room temperature, or place in a glass baking dish in a microwave oven for 10 minutes on low.
• The soup: Toss the strips of chicken breast with 1 tablespoons of the cornstarch and set aside.
• In a small container combine remaining 2 tablespoons cornstarch with water and soy sauce.
• Heat chicken stock just to boiling then stir in soy mixture and chicken and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the shredded greens, onions and sesame oil, if desired.
• Keep the soup hot (but not boiling) while frying rice.
• Heat oil to 375 degrees F in a deep fryer or heavy saucepan and fry rice 3 to 5 minutes until puffed and lightly browned, being careful because it can burn quickly.
• Lift rice out of the oil with a slotted spoon.
• Drain the rice on paper towels and place in heated tureen or bowls, pour in the soup and serve at once.
• Or, hot fried rice balls can be dropped into individual servings of hot soup, creating a"sizzling" sound.
• Additional fried rice may be passed during the course.
• Any crispy rice left over is delicious used in salads or eaten out of hand.
• The preparation needs planning to assure that both the soup and the rice are brought to the table at the same moment.
• It takes a little doing, but well worth the effort.