Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Asian Big Bowl

1/2 Small head napa cabbage, about 3/4 lb
1 very small head bok choy
8 cups chicken stock
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced into very thin strips
1/4 cup grated or shredded carrot
1 (2.8 oz) packet ramen noodles (discard the seasoning packet)
1 tablespoon mirin rice cooking wine
2 tablespoons soy sauce
scallions, sliced very thin on the optional, for garnish

Thinly slice the cabbage and bok choy. Set aside.

Pour the chicken stock into a medium pot and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add the chicken, carrots, cabbage, and bok choy. Simmer for 5 mins.

Add the ramen noodles and cook for 2 mins. Remove from heat and stir in the mirin and soy sauce.

Ladle into bowls. Garnish each bowl with a small handful of sliced scallions.

Mexican Turkey Albondigas Soup

1 lb ground turkey
2 tsp olive oil, divided
1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1/2 tsp ground cumin, divided
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
3/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp fine sea salt
1 small red onion, cut in half and thinly sliced
1 carrot, peeled, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
2 stalks celery, cut into 1/4 inch pieces
1 small jalapeño, seeded, finely chopped
3 cloves fresh garlic, sliced
1/2 tsp parprika
1 cup tomato sauce
8 cups chicken stock
1/8 to 1/4 cup matzo meal or breadcrumbs
1 large egg
2 scallions, sliced
1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

(1) Place the ground turkey in a medium mixing bowl. Set aside.

(2) Place 1 tsp of olive oil in pot over medium heat. Add onion, garlic and saute until translucent, about 5-6 minutes. Add 1/4 tsp cumin, cayenne, oregano, and salt. Toast until the spices are fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the spiced onions to the turkey.

(3) Pour the remaining 1 tsp of olive oil into the pot. Heat over medium. Add the red onion slices, carrot, celery, jalapeño, and sliced garlic. Saute for 4-5 minutes, until vegetables are fragrant. Pour in the tomato sauce and chicken stock. Bring to a simmer.

(4) Add bread crumbs to turkey, along with the egg. Gently mix with your hands. Wet hands to keep turkey fro sticking. Form walnut-sized meatballs and carefully drop into the soup. Cover the pot and allow the soup to simmer for 15 minutes (do not boil), or until meatballs are cooked through.

Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with scallions and cilantro.