Alexs Rice Soup Food

HOISIN SAUCE NOODLES WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place the sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat and toast until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• Cook the chicken. In a medium skillet, bring the chicken stock to a simmer over medium-high heat. Submerge the chicken breasts in the stock, then reduce the heat to low and poach until the meat is completely cooked through and the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken breast registers 165 degrees F on a meat thermometer, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes. Use a sharp knife to cut the meat into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Set aside. Let the chicken stock cool and reserve for another use.
• Make the pasta. In a medium pot, bring 4 quarts of water to a boil over medium-high heat. Line a sheet pan with a clean kitchen towel and set aside. Season the water with salt until it tastes like sea water. Plunge the pasta in the water and cook until cooked but still chewy ("al dente"), 4 to 6 minutes. Place a colander in the sink. Reserve a little pasta water, then drain the pasta thoroughly. Shake the colander a few times to remove excess water. Spread the pasta on the towel so it cools more quickly. Gently use a second towel to cover and pat the pasta dry. (Removing the excess moisture assures that the sauce will have a full flavor effect on the noodles.)
• Make the sauce. In a large bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, ginger, sesame oil, vinegar and hot sauce. Adjust the seasonings. Stir in half of the scallions. Set aside.
• Add the pasta to the sauce and toss to coat evenly. Add some of the reserved water if necessary. Transfer the pasta and sauce to a large serving bowl. Set aside.
• Arrange the chicken on top of the pasta. Top the pasta with the reserved sesame seeds and remaining scallions.

CHICKEN RICE SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Drizzle the chicken breasts with olive oil and sprinkle with the ground thyme and some salt and pepper. Put the chicken in a roasting pan and roast until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Set aside.
• In a pot over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the celery, carrots, onions and bell peppers for 3 to 4 minutes. Sprinkle with the fresh thyme and turmeric and cook for another 2 minutes. Pour in the chicken broth, cover, bring to a simmer and simmer 30 minutes.
• Prepare the rice according to the package instructions; keep warm.
• Shred or chop the chicken and add it to the pot with the soup. Simmer for another 15 minutes. Stir in the rice and minced parsley and serve.

CHICKEN AND RICE SOUP WITH GINGER AND TURMERIC

Steps:

• In a large pot, combine the oil with 3/4 cup scallions, the garlic, finely chopped ginger, coriander and turmeric. Season with salt and pepper, and cook over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until slightly softened, about 5 minutes.
• Add the rice and stir until coated. Add the chicken stock and 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil over high. Meanwhile, prepare the bok choy: Trim and discard the ends, then halve crosswise, separating the leafy bok choy tops from the heftier stems. Cut the stems crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces. Set aside.
• Once the stock comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and carefully add the whole chicken, then the wings and legs, adding the meat in a single layer. (If the chicken isn't fully submerged, add enough water until the meat is fully covered.) Cover the pot with a lid, leaving the lid cracked open about 1 inch, and simmer over medium-low until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. (Reduce the heat to low if necessary. You want to keep it at a low simmer to ensure the chicken stays tender.) Transfer the chicken to a large bowl.
• Continue to cook the soup over medium, uncovered, until the rice is tender and the liquid starts to thicken, 20 to 25 minutes. While the rice continues to cook, shred the chicken: Once cool, discard the chicken skin and tear the meat into bite-size pieces, discarding the bones. (You should have about 3 packed cups of shredded meat.)
• Stir the bok choy stems and shredded chicken into the soup, and simmer just until stems are slightly softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the leafy bok choy tops, and season to taste with salt.
• Divide among bowls and serve with bowls of chile, cilantro, sliced scallions and julienned ginger, to garnish.