Ohn No Khao Swè Food

OHN-NO-KAUK-SWE (BURMESE CHICKEN SOUP)

Steps:

• Put the vermicelli and noodles in a large bowl, and cover with boiling water. As they soften, use two forks to separate the strands. When fully softened, drain them in a colander, and set aside.
• Rub the chicken with the fish sauce, and set aside.
• Dissolve the chickpea flour in the water, and set aside.
• In a food processor, blend together the onions, garlic, turmeric, ginger and chillies. When well-blended, add 1/4 cup of the coconut cream, and process to a smooth paste.
• Heat the peanut oil in a pan large enough to hold all the soup ingredients. Add the paste and fry for 3 minutes, stirring constantly. Add the chicken and continue frying for another 3 minutes, still stirring. Add half the stock (2 1/2 cups) and one stock cube, if used, and bring to a boil. Continue cooking another 15-20 minutes. Stir every 5 minutes. You want the sauce to start thickening.
• While the soup is cooking, prepare the garnishes, and set aside.
• While the soup is cooking, also heat the other half of the stock (and a second stock cube, if used) in another pan until it starts to boil. Add the dissolved (and stirred again) chickpea flour/water mixture, still stirring well to minimise lumps. When this thickens some (about 5 minutes) pour this mixture through a sieve into the pan containing the chicken mixture. Stir well. (The sieve is important -- no matter how much you stir, there are still a few lumps.).
• When the soup just starts to boil, add the remaining coconut cream. Then bring soup back to a rolling boil.
• While the soup is returning to a rolling boil, bring a full 2-liter kettle of water to the boil, then pour the hot water over the vermicelli and egg noodles you softened earlier. Get the garnishes ready to serve.
• Let diners serve themselves. Have each person put some noodles in their soup bowl, then ladle over the soup/chicken mixture and top with the garnishes they like. Those who like salty should add a few shots of extra fish sauce.
• Attack with a spoon and fork while the soup is hot.
• Note: We use all the garnishes -- liberally.

OHN NO KHAO SWè RECIPE

Steps:

• To make the stock, add the water, chicken pieces, ginger and shallots to a stock pot. Bring to a vigorous simmer and reduce to a rolling boil.
• Partially cover the stock pot and simmer for an hour. Skim the stock occasionally to remove any scum build up on the surface.
• If you have decided to use chicken breast for the dish instead of drumsticks, use a thermometer to check the chicken breasts and remove when they are at 74˚C.
• Remove the chicken drumsticks from the stock. Strip off the meat and retain for the soup. Put the drumsticks back in the stock and simmer on low for 30 minutes.
• Strain the stock and when cool enough check the seasoning.