Sotanghon soup is a popular Filipino dish made with glass noodles, chicken, and vegetables. It is a comforting and nutritious meal that can be enjoyed any time of the day. Whether you are a beginner in the kitchen or an experienced cook, this simple sotanghon soup recipe is perfect for you.
This recipe requires basic ingredients that can be easily found in your local grocery store. The star of this dish is the glass noodles, also known as sotanghon noodles, which are made from mung bean starch. These transparent noodles, when cooked, have a smooth and soft texture that pairs well with the flavorful broth.
To make this soup, you will need to sauté garlic and onion in a pot until fragrant. Then, add chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once the broth is boiling, add chicken breast, carrots, and cabbage. Let the ingredients simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender.
Next, you will need to add the glass noodles to the pot and let them cook until tender. The noodles will absorb the delicious flavors of the broth, making them flavorful and satisfying. Finally, season the soup with soy sauce and a squeeze of lime juice for an added tanginess.
Enjoy a warm and comforting bowl of sotanghon soup on a cold day or whenever you are in the mood for a hearty and delicious meal. This recipe is a great option for those who are looking for a simple and easy-to-make dish that is packed with flavor. Whether you are cooking for yourself or your family, this sotanghon soup recipe is sure to be a hit!
Preparation
To prepare the sotanghon soup, you will need the following ingredients:
- 200 grams of sotanghon noodles
- 1 tablespoon of cooking oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 1 medium carrot, julienned
- 1 small cabbage, shredded
- 200 grams of chicken breast, boiled and shredded
- 4 cups of chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon of soy sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Once you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, follow these steps to prepare the sotanghon soup:
- Soak the sotanghon noodles in water for about 15 minutes or until they become soft. Drain and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
- Add the minced garlic and sliced onion to the pot and sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the julienned carrot and shredded cabbage to the pot and cook for about 2 minutes.
- Add the shredded chicken breast to the pot and stir well.
- Pour the chicken broth into the pot and bring it to a boil.
- Add the soaked sotanghon noodles to the pot and cook for about 3 minutes or until the noodles are tender.
- Stir in the soy sauce, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Simmer the soup for another 2 minutes.
- Remove the pot from heat and serve the sotanghon soup hot.
You can garnish the soup with some chopped green onions or cilantro, if desired.
Ingredients for Sotanghon Soup
Here are the ingredients you will need to make a simple and delicious sotanghon soup:
1. Sotanghon Noodles
250 grams of sotanghon noodles
2. Chicken
400 grams of chicken breast, sliced into thin strips
3. Vegetables
1 medium carrot, julienned
1 medium onion, sliced
4 cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup of cabbage, shredded
4. Seasonings and Spices
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
4 cups of chicken broth
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 teaspoon of fish sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Note: You can adjust the quantities of the ingredients based on your preferences and serving size.
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, you can proceed to the next step of the recipe.
Soaking the Sotanghon Noodles
Before you start cooking the sotanghon soup, you need to soak the sotanghon noodles to soften them. This will help the noodles cook evenly and prevent them from turning mushy.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide on how to soak the sotanghon noodles:
- Fill a large bowl with room temperature water.
- Add the sotanghon noodles to the bowl.
- Make sure that the noodles are fully submerged in the water.
- Leave the noodles to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes.
- After soaking, the noodles should appear soft and pliable.
If you prefer your noodles to have a firmer texture, you can soak them for a shorter period of time. On the other hand, if you want your noodles to be softer, you can soak them for a longer duration.
Once the sotanghon noodles are soaked, you can proceed to cook them with the rest of the ingredients to make a delicious sotanghon soup. Enjoy!
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by applying heat to raw ingredients. It is a fundamental skill that dates back to prehistoric times. Over the years, cooking techniques and recipes have evolved, resulting in a diverse range of cuisine around the world.
Benefits of Cooking
Cooking your own meals has several advantages. Firstly, it allows you to have control over the ingredients, ensuring that you use fresh and wholesome products. This promotes a healthier lifestyle. Secondly, cooking at home is usually more cost-effective than eating out, saving you money in the long run. Additionally, cooking can be a fun and creative activity that allows you to experiment with flavors and try new recipes.
Basic Cooking Techniques
To become a proficient cook, it is essential to master some basic cooking techniques. These include sautéing, boiling, frying, baking, grilling, and steaming. Each technique requires different skills and equipment, but with practice, anyone can become skilled in the kitchen.
Sautéing involves cooking food in a small amount of fat over high heat while stirring continuously. It is commonly used for vegetables, meats, and stir-fries.
Boiling is the process of cooking food in water or another liquid at its boiling point. It is used for pasta, rice, and vegetables.
Frying is done by submerging food in hot oil or fat. It results in a crispy texture and is used for foods like french fries, chicken, and fish.
Baking involves cooking food in an enclosed oven using dry heat. Common baked goods include bread, cakes, and cookies.
Grilling is the process of cooking food directly over heat, usually an open flame. It is popular for cooking meats, vegetables, and seafood.
Steaming is a gentle cooking method that involves cooking food over, but not in, boiling water. It is commonly used for vegetables and seafood.
These techniques form the foundation of cooking and can be combined to create countless dishes. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced cook, exploring different techniques and recipes can lead to delicious meals and a deeper appreciation for the art of cooking.
Boiling the Chicken Broth
To begin preparing the sotanghon soup, you will need to make a delicious and flavorful chicken broth. Follow these steps to create a rich and aromatic base for your soup:
Ingredients:
- 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces
- 3 liters of water
- 1 onion, quartered
- 4 garlic cloves, crushed
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions:
- In a large pot, combine the chicken pieces, water, onion, garlic cloves, bay leaves, peppercorns, and salt.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- While simmering, skim off any impurities that rise to the surface.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and set it aside to cool.
- Strain the chicken broth through a fine-mesh sieve to remove any solid ingredients and impurities.
Your chicken broth is now ready to be used as the base for your sotanghon soup. This flavorful broth will provide a delicious foundation for the rest of the soup ingredients.
Addition of Vegetables and Noodles
Once the chicken broth is boiling, it’s time to add the vegetables and noodles. You can use any vegetables you like, such as carrots, cabbage, and bell peppers. Chop the vegetables into small, bite-sized pieces for easy eating.
Add the vegetables to the boiling broth and let them cook for a few minutes until they start to soften. Stir occasionally to ensure even cooking.
Next, it’s time to add the sotanghon noodles. These glass noodles are made from mung bean starch and are a popular choice for sotanghon soup. Break the noodles into smaller pieces and add them to the pot.
Cook the noodles according to the package instructions, usually around 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the noodles from sticking together.
Once the noodles are cooked and the vegetables are tender, your sotanghon soup is ready to be served. The addition of vegetables and noodles not only adds nutrition but also adds texture and flavor to the soup.
Feel free to garnish with some chopped green onions or cilantro for an extra burst of freshness. Serve the soup hot and enjoy!
Serving the Sotanghon Soup
Once the sotanghon soup is cooked and piping hot, it is ready to be served. Here are some tips on how to present this delightful dish:
1. Garnish: Before serving, you can garnish the soup with freshly chopped spring onions or scallions. This adds a burst of freshness and a pop of color to the dish.
2. Soup Bowls: Serve the sotanghon soup in individual soup bowls. The bowls should be deep enough to hold the soup and wide enough to accommodate the noodles and ingredients.
3. Noodles and Ingredients: Make sure to distribute the sotanghon noodles and ingredients evenly among the soup bowls. This ensures that each serving is equally delicious and satisfying.
4. Condiments: Provide condiments such as soy sauce, calamansi or lemon wedges, and chili flakes on the side. Your guests can add these condiments according to their personal taste preferences.
5. Enjoy! Serve the sotanghon soup while it is still hot. Encourage your guests to enjoy the soup while the noodles are still firm and the flavors are at their peak.
With these tips, you can serve a delectable bowl of sotanghon soup that will surely delight your family and friends!
FAQ
What is sotanghon soup?
Sotanghon soup is a traditional Filipino dish made with glass noodles, chicken broth and various vegetables. It is a simple and comforting soup that is often served during special occasions or as a hearty meal on its own.
Can I use beef broth instead of chicken broth?
Yes, you can definitely use beef broth instead of chicken broth in your sotanghon soup. It will give the soup a richer and deeper flavor. Just make sure that the beef broth is well seasoned and balanced with the other ingredients.
How long does it take to cook sotanghon soup?
The cooking time for sotanghon soup may vary depending on the recipe and the heat level you use. On average, it takes about 30-40 minutes to prepare and cook sotanghon soup. However, this may vary depending on how long it takes for the broth to simmer and the noodles to soften.
What are some variations of sotanghon soup?
There are several variations of sotanghon soup that you can try. Some popular variations include adding shrimp or other seafood, using different types of meat such as pork or beef, and adding additional vegetables like mushrooms or snow peas. You can experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique version of sotanghon soup.