Thursday, February 16, 2012

PHO GA (Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup)

Let me start off by saying that this recipe is a far cry from what you would find at a Vietnamese restaurant.  It’s like comparing house made pasta with, say, Chef Boyardee.  OK, my version of this soup isn’t as bad as eating Chef Boyardee but I’m sure someone of Vietnamese decent would make a similar comparison. 
Even the Kids will love Pho Ga!

If you have the extra time and want to prepare an authentic version of Pho Ga, go to www.steamykitchen.com for a great recipe.  If you’re interested in making my quick and easy version of this chicken noodle soup in less than 30 minutes, please read on. 

By the way, I’ve tried Pho Ga at Viet Kitchen, Tea Lite Café, and Pho Thanh all of which are right here in the Valley.  (If you want a real ethnic experience go to Pho Thanh).  Each restaurant puts its own spin on the soup, but all of them offer a steamy big bowl full of tasty richness and flavor.

THE SOUP (makes 4 large servings)

8 oz. dry rice noodles
3 qts. Swanson's Chicken Stock
1/4 C fish sauce
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 Tbs ginger root, minced
2 Tbs lemon grass, minced
4 C cooked chicken, shredded (buy a pre-cooked roasted chicken)
2 C bean sprouts, thoroughly washed and tails pinched off
2 C bok choy, thoroughly washed and chopped

SUGGESTED GARNISHES
 
Sliced red onion
Sliced Jalapeno or Serrano peppers
Lime wedges
Cilantro leaves 
Thai basil or mint
Sriracha hot chili sauce (look for a tall plastic bottle with a green top)
Hoisin sauce

Cook the rice noodles per instructions on package and be sure to rinse them very well in cold water to remove excess starch.  (You can cook noodles ahead of time, rinse them, and keep them in the refrigerator until ready to use).

In a large stock pot, bring the chicken stock, fish sauce, minced garlic, ginger and lemon grass to a boil and then reduce heat to a slow simmer and cook for 10 minutes.  Add the cooked chicken, bean sprouts and bok choy, and cook until tender, about 5 minutes.

Divide the cooked noodles between 4 large bowls and pour the Pho over noodles.  Garnish with the above suggested items.