Vietnamese Pho Ga Chicken Food

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• Cut the hen into 8 pieces and discard any excess fat. Rinse chicken bones and necks with cold water and place in a stockpot. Add the water and ginger and bring to a boil. Skim any foam that rises to the surface. Reduce the heat to a low simmer and cook for 3 hours; do not allow the liquid to boil to ensure a clear broth.
• Remove and discard the hen and bones. Strain the broth through a fine mesh sieve or chinois lined with cheesecloth. Return the broth to a large soup pot and continue to simmer until reduced to a volume of 2 1/2 or 3 quarts. Season with salt, to taste, and keep hot while you assemble the remaining ingredients.
• Prepare the rice vermicelli according to package directions. Once done, transfer to a colander and drain well. Rinse well under cold running water. Drain thoroughly before using. (The noodles may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead of serving.)
• When ready to serve the soup, for each serving ladle 2 cups of the hot broth into a large soup bowl. Quickly dip the cooked noodles in the remaining hot broth to rewarm, then place a handful of noodles in each bowl. Divide the sliced chicken breast between the bowls, laying the slices over the top of the noodles. Serve the soup immediately, with the fresh cilantro, basil, mint, bean sprouts, lime wedges and jalapeno peppers in baskets on the table for each person to garnish their own soup, as desired. Add chili sauce or fish sauce, to taste, if desired.

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN PHO SOUP (PHO GA)

Steps:

• Char onion & ginger - Heat oil in a 6 litre / 6 quart pot (Note 5) over high heat. Place ginger and onion facedown, leave undisturbed for 2 minutes until they blacken. Turn and leave for another 2 minutes.
• Put everything in pot - Add water and remaining Broth ingredients EXCEPT salt. Bring it a simmer, then lower heat so it's simmering VERY gently with the lid on, but open a crack (Note 6).
• Simmer gently 1.5 hours. Scoop off scum (dirty foam) that rises to surface once or twice during the simmering.
• Strain & measure - Remove chicken, then strain broth into a clean pot - you should have 1.5 litres / 1.5 quarts. If you have more, simmer to reduce. If less, top it up with water.
• Salt broth - Add salt, bring broth to a gentle simmer. Broth should be slightly on the salty side - it dilutes when you add the noodles.
• Keep broth warm until ready to serve
• Shred chicken meat, discard bones and skin. (Note 6 Leftover Chicken ideas)
• Place Toppings out on the table.
• Reheat chicken (can briefly dunk in broth!).
• Prepare noodles per packet directions, just prior to serving. Drain very well (excess water dilutes broth).
• Place noodle in bowls. Top with chicken, ladle over 375ml / 1.5 cups broth. Sprinkle with green onion.
• Pile on Toppings of choice, add a squeeze of lime into the broth. Consume immediately!

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• In a large pot, place chicken wings, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves and galangal root in 1 liter of water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, occasionally removing foam that floats to surface of broth.
• Shred lettuce into bite sized pieces. Cut tomato into small wedges. Remove root ends of bean sprouts.
• Soak pho noodles according to package directions.
• When soup has simmer 30 minutes, stir in the nam pla and lime juice. Season with salt and black pepper.
• Separate noodles into two bowls, pulling gently apart. Top both bowls with bean sprouts and lettuce.
• Ladle broth into each bowl and garnish with tomato slices and cilantro.

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP (PHO GA)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a small fry pan on medium heat and gently cook shallots and garlic until caramelised and golden brown (about 4-5 minutes).
• In a large-size pot combine caramelised shallots and garlic, lemongrass, ginger, Chinese five-spice, sugar, fish sauce, chicken stock and chicken breasts. Cover with a lid and bring to a very gentle simmer. Simmer very gently for about 15 m
• Meanwhile, prep the vegetables and cook the noodles according to packet instructions until just cooked through (do not over-cook). Rinse under cold water to prevent them sticking together. Drain and divide between serving bowls.
• Strain the soup through a sieve. Return soup to the pot and bring to a boil. Season to taste with more fish sauce if needed.
• To serve, ladle piping hot soup into bowls of noodles and chicken, and top with carrot, spring onion, bean sprouts, herbs, crispy shallots and kaffir lime leaf. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over, and more fish sauce and chilli to add to taste.

PHO GA (VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP)

Steps:

• In a heavy large pot over high heat add onions, cut end down, and 2 ginger halves. Allow to blacken. Add peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon, and cloves.
• Then add the chicken and enough cold water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat. Once water comes to a boil, add the fish sauce, allow to boil for 1 minute more then reduce the heat to low.
• Simmer, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked, 25-30 minutes. Do not overcook the chicken as it will be cooked further upon service.
• Remove chicken from broth and set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle safely, remove the meat from the bones, shred coarsely and set aside. Discard the bones. Strain the broth into a second pot and discard the solids.
• Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles in a large bowl of cold water for 10 minutes. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until they are almost done, al dente, about 2 minutes. Drain and rinse the noodles with cold water to remove excess starch. Drain well.
• In large bowls, serve the noodles over a bed of fresh ginger, bean sprouts, Thai basil, fresh mint, cilantro, basil, and fresh lime juice. Top with pulled chicken. Lastly, ladle the hot broth over top and serve.

VIETNAMESE CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a small frying pan on medium heat and gently cook the shallots and garlic until caramelised and golden brown (about 4-5 mins).
• In a large saucepan, add the caramelised shallots and garlic, lemongrass, ginger, star anise, cinnamon stick, coriander seeds, Chinese five-spice, peppercorns, sugar, fish sauce, chicken stock and chicken breasts. Cover with a lid and bring to a very gentle simmer for about 15 mins.
• Meanwhile, cook the noodles, following pack instructions, until just cooked through (do not over-cook). Rinse under cold water to prevent them sticking together. Drain and divide between serving bowls.
• Strain the soup through a sieve. Discard the spices. Shred the chicken and keep to one side. Return soup to the pot and bring to a boil. Season to taste with more fish sauce if needed.
• To serve, ladle piping hot soup into bowls of noodles and chicken, and top with spring onion, carrot, bean sprouts, and herbs, plus the chilli, crispy shallots and kaffir lime leaf if using. Serve with a lime wedge to squeeze over, and more fish sauce and chilli to taste.