Ocean Harmony Fusion Soup
Inspired by the resilience and spirit of communities affected by the 2004 tsunami, this Ocean Harmony Fusion Soup brings together vibrant flavors from the 11 nations surrounding the Indian Ocean. The rich, aromatic broth features tender chicken and succulent shrimp, enhanced with the zesty kick of lemon and the creamy sweetness of coconut milk. Delight in the textures of soft rice noodles, crispy bean sprouts, and crunchy cashews, all beautifully garnished with hard-boiled eggs and fresh basil. This soup not only nourishes the body but also celebrates the unity and diversity of cultures that flourished in harmony, making every delicious spoonful a remembrance and a tribute.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
17
Ingredients
Ingredients
Chicken
4 lbs (Cut into large pieces, skin removed)
Chicken broth
6 cups (Used to cook chicken)
Shrimp
1/2 lb (Medium size, peeled and deveined)
Baking soda
1 teaspoon (For shrimp preparation)
Rice noodles
7-10 ounces (Rice sticks/vermicelli/bean thread, cooked)
Bean sprouts
10 ounces (Blanched briefly and seed pods removed)
Curry paste
20 fluid ounces (Yeo's Singapore Curry Gravy or similar)
Coconut milk
14 ounces (Non-sweetened)
Cornstarch
3 tablespoons (Make a slurry with water)
Water
1/4 cup (For cornstarch slurry)
Lemon juice
2-3 tablespoons (Freshly squeezed)
Lemons
2 (Cut into wedges)
Green or red peppers
1/3 cup (Chopped, medium hot, some reserved for topping)
Cashews
1/3 cup (Not raw)
Hard-boiled eggs
4 (Cut into quarters)
Basil leaves
24 (Rinsed under water to remove sand)
Basil sprigs
4 (With leaves, rinsed under water)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the chicken: Cut it into large pieces, removing the skin, fat, and any internal organs. Place the chicken in a large pot with chicken broth and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce to a low simmer and cook for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked. Skim off any scum that forms on top.
2
While the chicken cooks, prepare the shrimp: Slit the shrimp slightly down the center and place them in a bowl with baking soda and a small amount of water for 10 minutes. In a separate pot, bring water to a boil and quickly cook the shrimp until they turn pink, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook. Set aside the shrimp once cooked.
3
Cook the rice noodles according to package instructions, generally boiling them for about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside. For individual servings, consider cooking small packages of noodles just before serving to maintain their texture.
4
Once the chicken has cooled, remove the meat from the bones and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Strain the chicken broth through a sieve, retaining around 4 1/2 cups of clear stock for the soup.
5
In a large pot, combine the strained stock with the curry paste, coconut milk, lemon juice, cornstarch slurry, and minced ginger. Stir well and bring this mixture to a boil before reducing it to a simmer.
6
Introducing the chicken pieces back into the soup, let them simmer for an additional 3 minutes to ensure they are heated through.
7
Add the chopped red and green peppers, stirring to combine, and cook for 1 more minute.
8
In individual large bowls, layer the cooked rice noodles, followed by the chicken and soup broth. Decorate the top with shrimp, blanched bean sprouts, egg quarters, cashews, and a generous sprinkle of basil leaves.
9
On side plates, serve additional lemon wedges, bean sprouts, and sprigs of basil. Prepare your digital camera to capture the beauty of this dish before enjoying it!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ocean Harmony Fusion Soup?
Ocean Harmony Fusion Soup is a vibrant dish inspired by the resilience of communities affected by the 2004 tsunami, blending flavors from 11 nations surrounding the Indian Ocean.
What are the primary proteins in this soup?
The soup features tender chicken and succulent medium-sized shrimp.
What kind of broth is used for the base?
The base is a rich, aromatic broth made from strained chicken stock, curry paste, and non-sweetened coconut milk.
How do I prepare the chicken for this recipe?
Cut 4 lbs of chicken into large pieces with skin removed, boil in broth for 30 minutes, then remove meat from bones and cut into bite-sized pieces.
What is the secret to preparing the shrimp?
Slit the shrimp down the center and soak them in a mixture of baking soda and water for 10 minutes before boiling briefly.
How long should the shrimp be cooked?
The shrimp should be boiled for only 30 seconds to 1 minute until they turn pink to avoid overcooking.
What types of noodles work best?
You can use rice sticks, vermicelli, or bean thread noodles.
How do I keep the rice noodles from getting mushy?
Cook the noodles according to the package (usually 2 minutes) and consider cooking small portions just before serving to maintain texture.
What specific curry paste is recommended?
The recipe suggests using 20 fluid ounces of Yeo's Singapore Curry Gravy or a similar product.
Is the coconut milk used in the soup sweetened?
No, the recipe specifically calls for 14 ounces of non-sweetened coconut milk.
How is the soup broth thickened?
The soup is thickened using a slurry made from 3 tablespoons of cornstarch mixed with 1/4 cup of water.
What adds the zesty kick to the flavor profile?
Freshly squeezed lemon juice and lemon wedges provide the zesty kick.
How should the bean sprouts be prepared?
The bean sprouts should be blanched briefly with their seed pods removed.
What kind of peppers are used in the soup?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chopped medium-hot red and green peppers.
Are the cashews used in the soup raw?
No, the recipe specifies using 1/3 cup of cashews that are not raw.
How are the eggs served in the soup?
The soup is garnished with 4 hard-boiled eggs that have been cut into quarters.
How do I clean the fresh basil?
Rinse the basil leaves and sprigs under water to ensure all sand is removed.
How much clear chicken stock is needed for the final assembly?
You should retain around 4 1/2 cups of clear stock after straining.
What should be served on the side?
Serve additional lemon wedges, bean sprouts, and sprigs of fresh basil on side plates.
How do I assemble the individual bowls?
Layer cooked noodles first, followed by chicken and broth, then top with shrimp, bean sprouts, egg quarters, cashews, and basil.
What is the significance of the 11 nations mentioned?
They represent the diverse cultures surrounding the Indian Ocean that influenced the fusion of flavors in this soup.
Can I use frozen shrimp?
Yes, as long as they are medium-sized, peeled, and deveined before the baking soda soak.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 17 total ingredients required for this soup.
How long does the final simmer take?
Once the chicken is returned to the broth, it simmers for 3 minutes, followed by 1 minute after adding peppers.
Is this soup considered a full meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal due to its combination of protein, starch, and vegetables.
What should I do before eating the soup?
The instructions suggest capturing the beauty of the dish with a digital camera before enjoying it.
What is the role of ginger in this recipe?
Minced ginger is added to the stock mixture to enhance the aromatic and spicy profile of the broth.
Can I substitute the chicken broth?
While the recipe calls for chicken broth to cook the chicken, you could use a high-quality store-bought clear stock for the final base.
What gives the soup its creamy texture?
The combination of coconut milk and the cornstarch slurry creates a creamy, thickened consistency.
Is this a spicy dish?
The soup has a medium heat level derived from the curry paste and the chopped red and green peppers.