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"Lemongrass Tea" Soup with Chicken Dumplings, Mango, and Glass Noodles

Exclusive Recipe by Chef Rima Olvera of "Duet"

www.rimaolvera.com

Follow Rima's travels and updates on her blog . . . www.rimaolvera.com/blog

I'm so fortunate to know so many talented chefs.  But, when it comes to truly unique recipes that combine the ultimate ingredients with flavor and beauty, Chef Rima Olvera is the master.  She is considered a celebrity in many countries and has just launched an inventive new television show in Europe and Asia called "Duet."  The premise is compelling.  Rima travels around the world meeting some of the finest chefs from the countries she visits.  She immerses herself in their culture and she teams up with the world's top chefs to prepare wonderful dishes together.  Although the show is airing around the world, it is in English and many US fans are hopeful that one of our food networks will pick it up.... yes, Food Network... that was a hint.

Rima has graciously decided to share her recipes with us.  This is a tremendous honor as her creations are one of a kind.  Like many master chefs, these quantities should be thought of as guidelines, not exact measurements.  As I always say.... think of this as a template and make the recipe your own as you prepare it.  Thank you Rima for sharing this and we are already excited to see what else you may have in store for us next!

Ingredients for chicken dumplings: serves 4

• 1 pound ground fresh chicken breast meat
• 1 fresh garlic clove- crushed
• 1 tb. grated fresh ginger
• ½ bunch green onions, sliced
• 2 cloves fresh garlic, grated
• ½ tsp. Sesame oil
• 2 Tb. soy sauce
• 2 Tb. sugar
• 2+ tsp. Salt
• 1 egg white
• 1 pinch crushed red chiles

Ingredients for lemongrass tea soup:

• 6 cups chicken stock
• 4  fresh lemongrass stalks- bruised with a rolling pin or bottle
• ½ cup Mirin (sweet sake, available at Asian markets) or to taste
• ¼ cup rice vinegar
• 2 stalks celery- sliced
• 1 star anise
• ½ yellow onion- sliced
• 1 tb. grated fresh ginger
• salt to taste

Ingredients for garnishing soup:

• ½ package glass noodles,(bean thread noodles) soaked til clear, then drained
• 1 fresh mango, cut in small cubes
• 1 big handful fresh basil leaves (generous amount per bowl)
• 1 big handful fresh cilantro leaves(" ")
• 1 big handful beansprouts- per bowl
• 1  bunch green onions, thinly sliced- white and light green parts only- generous spoonful per bowl
• limes or lemons, cut in halves- squeeze and drop a half into each bowl.
• Fresh sliced green jalapenos or bird chiles- to taste

to assemble:

process chicken dumpling ingredients in food processor to smooth.

In large soup pot, add all soup ingredients, simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, let sit for few minutes, then strain.

Bring strained stock back to boil, drop small  walnut-size balls of the chicken dumpling mixture into the boiling stock, cook the balls for about 4 minutes or until cooked through.

Divide the glass noodles into 4 big bowls, divide the chicken balls into the bowls, pour the hot broth over the noodles, add mango cubes, fresh herbs, and lemon half and serve immediately.

NOTES:

The soup broth can be made 2 days in advance, and the chicken dumplings can also be made in advance and cooked in some regular chicken soup, then taken out and kept in a covered container in the fridge and then re-heated before serving in the lemongrass soup as noted in recipe.

I never know where I'm going to find a wonderful new recipe to add to this collection.  This one was discovered on a Facebook page for a Foodie group in Chicago.  They have a group that meets and prepares dinner together.  This recipe was made for their April event that focused on Thai cuisine.  A member named Kin Lui prepared this dish for their group and it received rave reviews.  I don't know Kin Lui and will post more credit information when I receive it.

Now that the temperatures are heating up, this is a perfect and refreshing dish to serve on a hot afternoon.

By the way... this photo doesn't do this dish justice... it's very colorful and fresh looking.  My flash wasn't cooperating when I took this photo.  Will try again next time I make it - which will be VERY soon!

8 servings

• 2 stalks lemon grass trimmed, top one-third pf stalks discarded, remaining stalk thinly sliced
• 1 piece fresh galangal or fresh ginger, minced
• 2 shallots halved lengthwise, sliced thinly crosswise
• 1/2 cup fresh sprigs of cilantro, washed and coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh mint, washed and coarsely chopped
• 3/4 pounds squid skinned, tentacles left whole, body cut into 1 inch rings (optional)
• 2/3 pounds fresh medium shrimp shelled, deveined, butterflied
• 2/3 pounds sea scallops (optional)
• 2/3 pounds sea bass fillet cut into 1 inch chunks
• 3-4 large lettuce leaves

Hot and Sour Chili-Lime Dressing:

• 10 fresh thai chilies chopped
• 6-8 cloves garlic chopped
• Juice of 2 limes
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar

Directions for dressing:

1) Pound the chilies and garlic into a paste in a mortar with a pestle, transfer to a medium bowl.

2) Whisk in the lime juice, fish sauce and sugar

Directions for salad:

1) Place lemon grass, galangal, shallots, cilantro, and mint in a large bowl; toss. Set aside.

2)Heat water in a large saucepan to boil.

3) Blanch the seafood, one variety at a time, until just cooked through: 20-30 seconds for the squid; 30 -40 seconds for the shrimp and scallops; 1-2 minutes for the sea bass. Drain well.

4) Add the warm seafood to the herb mixture; add the dressing.

5) Toss to distribute; transfer to a lettuce-lined serving platter.

Burdock Root Salad with Scallions & Cilantro

Submitted by:

David Wells, Chef / Nutracoach

www.grandmadave.com

Ingredients:

1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar

one thick Burdock root julienned (usually 4-5" long and 1" diameter

Peel skin off and julienne right into the vinegar to stop oxidation)

1/2 bunch Scallions thinly sliced on a bias

1 Tablespoons toatsed light and dark sesame seeds

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro chopped

Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Peanut Sauce

Submitted by:

David Wells, Chef Grandma Dave

www.grandmadave.com

Some Nutritional Benefits:

Wide variety of fresh vegetables are a substantial source of digestive enzymes and contain all essential vitamins, particularly vitamins A, B, and C, and also rich in minerals. Full of cleansing and tonifying properties essential for healthy nerve and digestive function. High in fiber, complex carbohydrates, and glutamic acid, which may boost immune function.

• Spring roll wrappers (rice) 8, medium
• Carrots 2, medium
• Snow peas 12
• Bell pepper red and yellow 1 of each
• Scallions 1 bunch
• Diakon radish 4” chunk
• Cucumber ½ each (English)
• Cabbage ¼ head
• Leek (blanched) 1
• Shiitake mushrooms 8 each (poached or sauteed)
• Cilantro (chopped) ½ bunch
• Mint (chopped) ½ bunch
• Basil (chopped) ½ bunch
• Furiake shake ¼ jar(can be purchased at Asian market)
• Sesame seeds

Note: The amount and proportion of ingredients will vary according to personal preference and desired quantity.

Julienne all vegetables, chop all herbs.

Blanch leeks and sautee or poach mushrooms.

Moisten rice paper rolls in between paper towels or with spray bottle let sit for five minutes.

Uniformly place vegetables into the center of each roll.

Top with herbs, scallions, shake and sesame seeds.

Gently roll the rice paper, if needed, seal the ends with a small amount of water.

Cut in half, on a bias, and cover with damp paper towel until ready to eat.

Peanut Dipping Sauce Yields: 1 1/2 cups

• 1 Tb. sesame oil (light)
• 1 cup organic peanut butter
• 2 Tb. ginger root- chopped
• 1 Tb. garlic- chopped
• 1 Tb. lemon grass- chopped
• 2 Tb. scallions- chopped
• 1 Tb. sesame seeds- toasted
• ½ bu. cilantro, chopped
• 2 Tb. rice vinegar
• 2 Tb. agave nectar
• Water to adjust consistency

Sautee ginger, garlic, lemon grass, and scallions in sesame oil.

Put all other ingredients into food processor and pulse.

Add water to adjust consistency.