Thursday, January 14, 2010

Chicken And Vegetable Broth


Apparently soup is all we are going to have for a while according to one of the tummies, such a post festive season/holidays manifesto. I actually quite like the idea of a no carb liquid diet myself especially if other people are suffering with me at the same time, so I took on the challenge as well. Since we had just experienced the equal hottest night (36 degrees C) and the second hottest day (43 degress C) on record; any soup I cook will has to be light and clean, more like a broth really. I came up with this recipe using a traditional chinese technique of poaching chicken to absolute perfection and then just adding in some vegetables that is subtle and won't over power the delicate sweet broth.
Both the tummies are very happy with the finished product, with one of them even proclaiming "very delicious! This is so easy on my stomach! " I take that as being good haha!
P.S Add some cooked pasta for a more substantial meal but it is a lot more filling than it looks.

Serves 4
you'll need;
1 whole organic chicken, cleaned, poached, skinned and boned
1 onon, peeled and halved
2 bay leaves
fennel tops
2 carrots, cut into pieces
2 celery stalks, cut into pieces
250g of green peas
250g of corn
2 heads of fennel, sliced
salt and pepper to taste
3 l of water

Bring water to a boil, add onion, fennel tops, carrots, celery stalks and bay leaves. Add the chicken and seasonings; when the water returns to a boil, turn off the heat with the cover on and leave for 1.5 hours.
Never attempt to remove the cover during this time. Remove chicken and solids from the broth; rest the chicken til it is cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones and slice into manageable pieces.

Meanwhile  return the broth to a simmer and add in the chicken bones, simmer for an hour. Remove all solids and fat then add in the prepared vegetables, cook until tender. Ladle some broth with vegetables and top with some tender chicken meat.

I must admit, the result was just what I was hoping for; the broth is sweet, clear and delicate and the chicken is cooked to perfection.

30 comments:

  1. I love the idea of using fennel in this chicken soup, must be sweeter than me! HAHA

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  2. It does look very delicate! I really like the idea of poaching the chicken using the Chinese method, the chicken looks really tender and moist, yum! Cheers mate see you tomorrow!

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  3. This looks very healthy and delicious, I will try one day. Thank you :)

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  4. Lovely photos! It looks very clean tasting! Perfect for summer :)

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  5. What a hearty delicious chicken soup ! It looks so clear and fragrant , I like it !

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  6. A very pretty dish indeed! I can imagine how sweet and tasty the broth is with just a hint of the fennel! Well done!

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  7. Kenny,
    Mmm just that little! :)

    fitzboy,
    Thanks! It is my favourite way of cooking chicken :)
    Yupe see you guys around 3.

    Pham,
    Thank you! It is very healthy indeed, please do!

    CW,
    Thanks! Make sure you try it too!

    Pearlyn,
    Thank you! Funny how we both made chicken soup!

    Tricia F,
    Thank you very much! That is what the soup taste like :)

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  8. What a refreshing, light, nutritious and delicious chicken broth!

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  9. My grandma used to do chiken broth and "minestrone" with fennel!
    Looks very light!!!! Something good for my tummy after lavish xmas lunches and dinners.

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  10. Harriet from CarltonJanuary 15, 2010 at 1:14 AM

    Oh If I am given soup this pretty I'll go on a soup diet too! The dish looks so calm! Does that make any sense? Haha!

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  11. A hearty feast and yet light. Wonderful recipe.

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  12. This dish looks so good, maybe I should go on a soup diet too!
    Are you really going on a soup diet? :)

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  13. Angie,
    Thank you very much!

    Matteo,
    Yeah they will be minestrone too, I bet her recipe is very delicious!
    This is perfect if you want something light!

    Nostalgia,
    Thank you, it is so light but so satisfying at the same time!

    rosa,
    Yeah please follow us on our diet, it will be fun!!

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  14. 好清的一道菜,蔬菜和雞的精華都在湯裡去了!

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  15. oh wow this soup looks divine wow thats crazy hot hope you have good AC

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  16. Which sweetness in this dish, completely what I like
    Delicacy in colors, an ideal dish with the cold we have at this time
    I imagine us savouring this dish in the warmth of our house, an excellent idea

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  17. This soup sounds so good! No carb soup! That's awesome. :)

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  18. Sounds great!!!Your soup looks so warm and inviting and nurturing!

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  19. Beautiful, clear soup. I love that.

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  20. 大肥 ,
    謝謝!你說得很對!:)

    Rebecca,
    Thank you! Yeah it was crazy hot and we do have AC :0

    chapot ,
    Thank you! I hope it will warm you up :)

    Sook,
    Haha It does sound good to a lot of people :)

    kothiyavunu ,
    Thank you ! I am really please with the result! :)

    Mary,
    Thank you :)

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  21. I am not feeling too well, I think this is perfect cure for me! Thanks :)

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  22. It looks wonderful! We are finally warming up to normal temperatures, yes we are warm again!!!
    I love all your photos, I feel like I am in your kitchen with you!

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  23. clear chicken soup.. extremely healthy!

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  24. I love a home made chicken broth! comfort food for me :)

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  25. KL girl in MELB ,
    Oh this is a perfect when you are feeling sick, get well soon!

    Lyndsey,
    I'm so get you are getting some warm weather! :)
    Thank you ! that was such a nice comment! :)

    Cumi & Ciki,
    It is indeed :)

    noobcook,
    It is amazing how chicken soup has become an universal comfort food :)

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  26. Very healthy and looks delicious! Perfect dish to cook when my girlfriends drop by for lunch!

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  27. Happy to go on a soup diet if this is served!

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  28. soup diet haha! ขอร้องต้มยำกุ้ง!!!

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  29. love to eat,
    Absolutely! :)

    Mike,
    Haha thanks!

    muu :)
    Yes! สัปดาห์ หน้า ok?

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  30. Mmm this looks too good to be diet food no? :)

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