Description
RECOMMENDED EQUIPMENT
- large pot
- small pot
- fine mesh strainer
- cheesecloth
- sharp knife
- cutting board
For the consommé version, you’ll also need:
- an extra small pot
- whisk
- small bowls
Ingredients
Units Scale
CHICKEN STOCK
- 3 liters cold water
- 2 carrots
- 4 small yellow onions
- 1 leek (only the green part)
- 2 bay leaves
- 3 sprigs of fresh thyme
- 1 tsp black pepper corns
- 1 lemon
- 4 garlic cloves
- 1 kilogram skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 4 egg whites (only for the Consommé version)
SOUP COMPONENTS
- 10 stems green asparagus
- 1 leek (only the white part)
- 100 grams frozen peas
- 100 grams tiny pasta shells
TOPPINGS
- fresh dill
- fresh chives
- scallions
- 1 lemon
- homemade chive oil
Instructions
- Peel the carrots, trim the ends, and slice. Cut the roots off the onions and halve them. Separate the white and green parts of the leek. Wash the green part thoroughly and cut it into large pieces. Halve the lemon. Peel the garlic cloves. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- Heat a large pot over medium heat (no oil). Place the onion halves cut side down and let them brown. Then add the carrots, leek, lemon, herbs, peppercorns, and chicken thighs. Pour in 3 liters of cold water.
- Slowly bring the pot to a gentle simmer, do not let it boil. Skim off any foam with a spoon. Let it cook uncovered on the lowest heat for 4 to 8 hours, making sure it stays at a gentle simmer. Skim off any foam occasionally and add cold water if too much evaporates.
- In the meantime, prepare the chive oil and store it in the fridge until needed.
- Once the broth is done, remove it from the heat. Take out the chicken thighs, let them cool, and then shred the meat from the bones and set it aside for later. Remove the vegetables with a slotted spoon. Strain the broth first through a fine mesh strainer and then through cheesecloth for a clear result.
If you’d like to turn your broth into a clarified consommé, follow the next steps. If not, jump to the section “Simple Version.”
Consommé Version
- Let the broth cool slightly so it’s warm but not hot. In a bowl, whisk 4 egg whites just until frothy. Stir them into the broth. Let everything sit over medium heat for about 15–20 minutes, do not boil, or the egg whites will curdle.Over time, a layer of egg whites will form and trap any remaining fat or cloudiness. Gently remove this layer and strain the broth again: first through a fine mesh strainer, then through cheesecloth. The result: a crystal-clear consommé.
- Reheat the consommé and season with salt (about 5–7g per liter). Keep it hot.
- Slice the white part of the leek into rings and wash well. Slice the asparagus into chunks or thin rounds. Finely slice the green part of the scallions for topping.Optional extra step for curly scallion strips: Slice the tube lengthwise and open it up. Place the inside facing up and gently scrape off the slimy layer with a knife. Slice into thin strips and store in a bowl of ice water until serving.
- Boil two small pots of salted water. In one, cook the noodles al dente. In the other, blanch the leeks first, then asparagus, and finally the peas. Place each component in a small bowl and set aside.
- To serve, layer noodles, vegetables, and shredded chicken into serving bowls and pour hot consommé over. Top with freshly ground black pepper, fresh dill, chives, scallions, lemon slices, a squeeze of lemon juice, and a drizzle of chive oil.
Simple Version
- Reheat the broth and season with salt (5–7g per liter). Keep it hot.
- Slice the leek into rings and rinse thoroughly. Cut the asparagus into chunks or thin slices. Finely slice the green part of the scallions for topping.
- Bring a small pot of salted water to a boil and cook the noodles al dente.
- Add the leeks to the broth and simmer until soft. Then add asparagus and peas, cooking for another 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the shredded chicken and cooked noodles. Simmer everything for 1–2 minutes until heated through.
- Adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve hot in deep bowls, topped with fresh dill, chives, scallions, lemon slices, and chive oil.
Notes
- This soup takes time, but it rewards you with depth and flavor.
- This recipe yields about 2.5 liters of finished chicken stock. You’ll use 1 liter for the soup, the rest keeps for 2–3 days in the fridge or 2–3 months in the freezer for future recipes.
- Passive Time: 4 hrs
- Cook Time: 45 min