Dish name: Phở Gà (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Preparation time: 1-2 hours
Yield: Serves 4-6
Expiration: Broth can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months. Best served fresh.
Ingredients:
1 whole chicken, around 1.5-2 kg
3 liters of water
1 large onion, halved and charred
1 piece of ginger, about 5cm, charred
3-4 star anise
1-2 cinnamon sticks
3-4 cloves
Salt, to taste
Sugar, to taste
Fish sauce, to taste
400g flat rice noodles (phở noodles)
Garnishes: sliced green onions, cilantro, Thai basil leaves, lime wedges, and fresh chili pepper slices
Instructions:
Clean the chicken thoroughly and remove excess fat. Parboil the whole chicken for about 2-3 minutes to clean and remove impurities, then rinse with cold water.
Fill a large pot with clean water. Add the whole chicken and bring to a gentle boil.
Add the charred onion and ginger to the pot along with the star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
Simmer on a low heat for about 1 hour. Skim off any fat and scum that rise to the surface.
Remove the chicken when it is cooked through, shred the meat, and set aside. Continue to simmer the broth for another 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Season the broth with salt, sugar, and fish sauce to taste.
Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions.
Assemble the bowls with cooked noodles, shredded chicken, and ladle the hot broth over.
Serve with the prepared garnishes so each person can flavor their soup as they like.
Tips and Tricks for Making Perfect Phở Gà:
Chicken Cleaning: Clean the chicken well to ensure a clear broth. Parboiling it first helps to remove any impurities.
Simmering the Broth: A slow, gentle simmer as opposed to a rolling boil will result in a clearer broth and better flavor.
Spices: Toasting the spices beforehand can bring out more flavor.
Proper Seasoning: It is important to season the broth well with fish sauce, salt, and sugar to achieve the characteristic Phở Gà flavor balance.
Broth Clarity: Continuously skim off any scum that forms on the surface of the broth to keep it clear.
Use Chicken Bones: If you desire a richer broth, consider adding additional chicken bones to the pot.
Fresh Garnishes: Use fresh, high-quality garnishes to complement the chicken flavor.
Onion and Ginger: Charring the onion and ginger before adding them to the broth will lend a wonderful aroma and depth of flavor to the soup.
With these tips, you'll achieve a fragrant and satisfying bowl of Phở Gà that is both comforting and delicious.
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