After quite a battle, I’m waving the white flag. I’m sick. I’ve lost my voice and have turned into quite the sad sack. On Thursday night, I realized that we were out of broth. Nothing frozen, no cubes, no cartons, nada. I wanted ramen soup and so I bravely ordered out for some from a local Japanese restaurant. What arrived on my doorstep was an insult to ramen soup everywhere. The broth was murkey in the worst way and stunk to high heaven. I tossed it. Luckily, I had also ordered some passible agadashi tofu so I was able to at least eat dinner. The next day, I picked up a few needed ingredients and decided that a homemade ramen soup was going to be on the menu for dinner. But since I was sick, I was drawn to the kick-ass flavours of chilis, ginger root and lemongrass. Screw the ramen, I was going to make a spicy Thai soup with Japanese noodles instead.
This soup is really easy to make, despite the long list of ingredients. First, you want to infuse the broth with goodness, so I threw in a frozen chicken carcass I had in the freezer along with some very heady, aromatic ingredients: ginger, chili, lemongrass, garlic. If you don’t have old bones laying about, skip it! Make it vegan! Don’t have fresh chilies? Used dried. And for noodles, I found some fresh Japanese ramen noodles at the grocery store, but you are welcome to use rice noodles, udon, soba or just plain old spaghetti. Just use a long noodle with a bit of chew that gives a good slurp…because with an asian noodle soup, slurping is the best part! Enjoy.
spicy thai noodle soup
1 carton of chicken or veggie broth
1 chicken carcass (optional)
2 hot yellow or red peppers, seeds removed
2 inch knob of ginger, smashed
4 cloves garlic, smashed
2 green onions, chopped
1 stalk lemongrass, smashed
1 T soy or fish sauce
zest & juice of 1 lime
8 mushrooms, sliced
2 t toasted sesame oil
2 individual packets of Japanese ramen noodles (or other noodle)
1 carrot, julienned
1/2 c shredded chicken, bbq pork or diced tofu
1/2 bunch of cilantro, choppedIn a large pot, bring the broth, carcass (if using), chilis, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, green onions, soy/fish sauce and lime zest to a low, simmering boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain out all the solids and discard while placing the broth back into the pot.
Meanwhile, heat sesame oil in a frying pan and add the sliced mushrooms. Saute until golden and juicy. Add the mushrooms and their liquid into the broth, along with the julienned carrots, ramen noodles and your choice of protein and bring the pot to a low boil for 2 minutes, careful not to overcook the noodles. Add in lime juice, adjust for seasoning and serve. Top bowls with fresh cilantro.
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Oh no!! Feel better a.s.a.p.!!
Mmm, LOVE spicy cuisine.
This looks lovely, and I hope the spice helped with your illness. Being sick is no fun!
Asian food + soup = totally awesome. I’m on a Pho kick recently, but this might be a nice contrast. Thank you so much for sharing!!
This is perfect for when you’re sick. Warm, comforting, flavorful and spicy to clear those sinuses =)
Oh dear! I was hoping that you would feel better after all the cold remedies you tried. I guess if your immune system is tired and you’re stressed about getting things done, that nasty bug can’t be beat no matter how much garlic and COLD FX you take. Sucks!
The take-out soup you ordered sounds nasty. I guess there are no ‘Soup Nutsy’ shops near you?
Your own soup sounds perfect for this wet and snowy evening we’re having here in TO. Take it easy and get some rest 🙂
I know the feeling well. So far, I have not been sick. I hate getting sick as the first things to go are my lungs and voice.
I’m sure this comforting soup did a good job on starting the healing process.
thanks veggiegirl, i feel already on the mend!
hanne, i think all the spices are kicking my butt in a good way!
aleta, i definitely understand your pho kick! mmmm, pho.
it’s definitely perfect sick-food, gaga 🙂
me too, bijoux! oh well, i think this soup is working wonders. all the spices and ginger is helping! i’ve never heard of “soup nutsy”…which sounds like seinfeld’s ‘soup nazi’! haha.
thanks dawn, i really hate being sick too!
wow, there must be a lot of comfort carcass recipes out there, amanda! who knew!
kickpleat “soup nutsy” is a soup shop located in downtown Toronto. They are totally cashing in on the “soup nazi” idea from Seinfeld. Here is the website address: http://www.soupnutsy.ca Check it out. Even their soup nutsy cartoon chef will remind you of the soup nazi guy on Seinfeld.
This is the third recipe I have consulted since Friday, that calls for “one chicken carcass”. Although, they each have subtle differences, such as the Friday night recipe which specified the carcass be “cooled”.
It’s official: every time you make asian-inspired noodle soup and post pictures, I immediately have to go make asian-inspired noodle soup. YUM.
Thanks for the recipe! I will keep this in mind for the next time I’m sick!of course I could also make it before being sick 😀
great recipe! hope u feel better already. I love soup when I’m sick too, or congee, hehe, your spicy noodle soup looks so appetising!
Outstanding photo!
ha, i knew it, bijoux!
well, i’ll just have to make more asian inspired soups, maven!
julia, it’s perfectly fine as a meal without being sick but it’s extra comforting when you are 🙂
tastes, i’m feeling pretty ship-shape! oooh, i’m a total congee fan. i should try to make my own sometime!
thanks, stefanie!
Oh no, I hope you feel better soon! It is so cold here tonight and just looking at that soup is making me feel warmer. You soup looks delicious.
Hope that you are all better! This soup sounds fan-freaking-tastic!
I made this last night with excellent results. I was worried that the flavors would be too strong, but it was perfect. Although I am a little congested, so it could be quite pungent, and I’d never know.
Thanks Sarena! This soup will warm your toes…I guarantee it!
Evidee, all better now. I thank this soup 🙂
Kimber glad you tried the soup! I hope it helps clear up your cold 🙂 As for the spices, it’s not really all that pungent (well, at least my non-sick husband didn’t think so). Best wishes!
This sounds easy and tasty!
Lot’s of chopping and smashing! At least you get your exercise!
Kevin, it’s really easy (I made it while sick!) and delicious.
Erik, I love recipes where I get to smash things! haha.
i’ve found some great recipes on yuour site-thanks!
i’m stopping by again, soon!
(ginger molasses sounds AWESOME!!!!)
seeleelive, thanks for stopping by!
My husband would love this! And great picture too 🙂
dunno if you get these “later comments”, hope you do- i just wanted to let you know that i LOOOOVE THIS BLOG! i always come here as my never-fail recipe stop with yummy ideas and creations! so THANKS for that, and i am making this soup tonight! xo
I am remiss! I’d sworn I commented on how great this turned out (with tofu the first time) but when I went to look it up again tonight I see I hadn’t. I linked to it from my blog back when I made it at least so I could easily find it again! Thanks for posting. And I loved the photo. I’m terrible about remembering to take photos.