Serves 4
Ingredients
For the Soup
- 1 whole chicken (about 2-3 pounds), cut into pieces
- 1 medium-sized bitter melon, cut into thin slices
- 4-5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 stalks of celery, chopped
- 2 carrots, chopped
- 8 cups chicken broth
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Noodles
- 300 grams rice noodles (thin or wide as preferred)
- Boiling water for cooking the noodles
Garnishes
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Fresh green onions, chopped
- Lime wedges
- Fresh bean sprouts
- Sliced chili peppers (optional)
Preparation
- Prepare the Chicken:
- In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add the chicken pieces and brown them on all sides.
- Make the Soup:
- Add the chopped onion, celery, and carrots to the pot. Cook for about 5 minutes until they start to soften.
- Pour in the chicken broth and bring to a boil.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to a simmer and add the fish sauce, soy sauce, and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Let the soup simmer for about 30-40 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- Add the Bitter Melon:
- While the soup is simmering, prepare the bitter melon by cutting it in half lengthwise, removing the seeds, and then slicing it thinly.
- Add the sliced bitter melon to the soup and cook for another 10-15 minutes until the bitter melon is tender but not mushy.
- Cook the Noodles:
- In a separate pot, bring water to a boil.
- Add the rice noodles and cook according to the package instructions until they are just tender. Drain and set aside.
- Assemble the Soup:
- Divide the cooked noodles among four bowls.
- Ladle the hot chicken and bitter melon soup over the noodles.
- Garnish each bowl with fresh cilantro, green onions, bean sprouts, and sliced chili peppers if using.
- Serve with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the soup.
Tips:
- Bitter melon has a strong taste, so you can adjust the amount according to your preference.
- You can also add other vegetables like mushrooms or baby corn for additional flavor and texture.
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