Thai Chicken Noodle Soup

I very seldom have noodles in soup, as most of the time I have it dry.  However, when I first try out this noodle in soup recipe, it taste so yummy, and I simply cannot wait for long to cook it again.  The soup is so light, inexpensive as it is with few simple ingredients which are readily available in most of our pantry, and nutritious.  

Ingredients: (Serves 2)

2 portions Dry Kolo Mee/Noodles (can use fresh kolo mee, if available)

Some green vegetables of your choice (boiled/blanched)

Some pork balls 

3 or 4 chicken drumsticks 

3 coriander roots (washed and sliced, obtain the roots and stems part)

3 garlic cloves (peeled)

1/2 tsp. white peppercorns

1/4 tsp. salt

1 tbsp. cooking oil

3 tbsp. light soy sauce

3/4 tbsp. dark sweet soy sauce

2 whole star anise

4 cups water

1/2 tbsp. chicken stock granules

1 1/2 tsp. sugar (to taste)

Fish sauce (if necessary)

Chili powder (to serve, if needed)

Methods:

1. Using a mortar and pestle, pound coriander roots, garlic, white peppercorns and salt into a rough paste.
2. Heat cooking oil in a wok, add paste and chicken and cook, turning frequently, until the chicken is just starting to colour.
3. Add light soy sauce, dark sweet soy sauce, star anise, water, chicken stock granules and sugar.  Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through, skimming the surface occasionally, then, remove from heat.
4. In the meantime, cook the kolo mee/noodles according to instructions.  Put the noodles into 2 serving bowls.
5. Dish the chicken drumsticks into a plate.  Strain the broth and pour it back into a clean wok/pot.  Taste for correct seasoning.  Add the pork balls and keep hot.
6. To serve, add the green vegetables and chicken drumsticks to each bowl.  Ladle over the hot soup and pork balls.  Serve with chili powder and fish sauce to taste.

When I cooked this noodle soup again for the second time, I do not have any pork balls, thus, I put quail eggs instead.

This recipe is adapted from 'Marion's Kitchen' with slight adjustments to suit my cooking preference.