Fake Chicken Pho

Fake Chicken Pho

adapted from Rachael Ray in Season

Since moving to Philadelphia, one of my son's favorite food is Pho. Traditional Vietnamese Pho takes hours to make. This can be made in about 30 minutes. 

The carbs are also reduced by replacing half of the traditional rice noodles with spiralized zucchini.

Makes 4 servings                                                    6 WW Blue points / serving

8 oz. thin, flat rice noodles

2 large poached chicken breasts, leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken, thinly sliced

1 inch cinnamon stick

3 star anise pods

1/8 tsp. rounded ground cardamom

2 quarts homemade chicken stock or canned broth

2 inch piece of ginger, peeled and cut into matchstick size pieces

1 bunch of scallions, trimmed and sliced on a bias

2 Tbsp. soy sauce

Hoisin sauce or Sriracha (optional) for drizzling

Thinly sliced jalapenos, julienned basil, cilantro leaves and bean sprouts for garnish

1. In a large bowl, soak the noodles in warm water until pliable, 15-20 minutes.
2. Drain and rinse under cold water; Drain well; Return to the bowl.
3. In a large pot, toast the spices, stirring frequently until aromatic, about 2 minutes.
4. Add the stock, ginger and garlic; Bring to a boil; Cook until the stock is infused, about 5 minutes.
5. Strain the broth into the bowl with the noodles. Discard the solids.
6. Return the broth and noodles to the pot; Add the zucchini, scallions and soy sauce; Simmer until scallions wilt and the zucchini is cooked, about 2 - 3 minutes.
7. Use tongs to divide the noodles and zoodles among bowl. Top with chicken.
8. Divide the broth among the bowls.
9. Serve allowing individuals to garnish their plates and add hoisin sauce and /or sriracha as desired.

Enjoy!

Carrot Soup with Star Anise

I am still determined to find a vegetable soup that my friend Tanya will like. She is my Weight Watcher's buddy at work. According to the Weight Watchers Recipe Builder this is a 1 PointsPlus soup. If I had used canned fat free broth instead of my homemade stock it would have been 0 points. It tastes creamy without cream and only a little fat from the stock.

Star anise is a star shaped pod that con a small seed in each of its segments.It is native to China and gives a licorice flavor to savory dishes.

Carrot Soup with Star Anise
adapted from Bon Appetit December 2005

3/4 cup chopped onion
3 fresh thyme sprigs
1 1/2 star anise seedpods
1 small bay leaf
1 small garlic clove, chopped
1 lb peeled baby carrots
2 cups chicken stock
Non-stick cooking spray

Cook the onion, thyme, star anise, bay leaf and garlic in a pot coated with cooking spray until the onion begins to soften. Add the stock and the carrots. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the carrots are soft, about 30 minutes.
Remove the thyme stems, start anise pods and the bay leaf. Puree the soup in a blender until smooth. Return o the pot and heat through before serving.