Fragrant Vietnamese Chicken Soup

A delicious super immune boosting soup.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients

1 whole organic chicken (approx 1.6kg)
2 white onions finely chopped
3 garlic cloves (optional)
5cm knob piece ginger finely chopped
2 cinnamon sticks
6 Cardamon Pods
3 star anise
1 medium sized chili chopped (optional)
2 tspn Himalayan or sea salt (to taste)

*VEGETABLES: Add as many as you like, Asian veggies work really well
1/2 sliced Chinese cabbage (Variation – replace with rice noodles or add 300gm brown rice)
200g bean sprouts
1 cup coriander, thai basil and/or mint leaves
Carrots, julienned (cut lengthwise like match sticks)
Zucchini, finely chopped
1 bunch baby bok choy, trimmed and leaves separated or spinach or any greens
Capsicum, red or green – finely sliced
Broccoli, finely slice stalk and cut up the little florets
Green beans, sliced
Snow peas, finely sliced
Mushrooms, try different varieties – they all work well
Lime wedges, to serve

Method

1. Rinse chicken and add to pot with 2 litres of water (enough to cover)
2. Bring to boil, skim scum from top
3. Add onions, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, star anise & salt. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, remove chicken and set aside.
4. Place on heat (simmer) and add veggies, add the ones that take longer to cook first.
5. Remove chicken flesh and finely slice
6. If including noodles, cover rice noodles with hot water to cook, strain
7. Add noodles into soup, along with sliced chicken.
8. Top each serve with been sprouts, coriander, mint, basil, chili and lime.

This soup freezes really well, just leave out the bean sprouts.

Recipe from Lina Capovilla