Combination Short and Long Soup

Serves 4


Ingredients:

105g egg noodles
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 chicken breast fillet, skin removed
125g minced chicken
1 cup (90g) shredded Chinese cabbage
¼ cup (60g) chopped canned water chestnuts
2 tsp soy sauce
1 tsp Asian sesame oil
1 tsp peeled and grated fresh ginger
12 wonton wrappers
1 egg, beaten
6 cup (1.5L) chicken stock
1 tbsp dry sherry
12 jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails intact
200g baby spinach or bok choy, trimmed
125g Chinese barbecue pork, sliced
soy sauce for serving


Method:

• Cook noodles as directed on package. Drain and set aside. Heat 1 tbsp vegetable oil in wok or frying pan over medium heat. Add chicken breast and cook, turning once, until juices run clear when pierced with skewer, about 5 minutes on each side. Remove from pan and allow to cool. Slice chicken and set aside.
• Heat remaining 1 tbsp vegetable oil in same pan over medium-high heat. Add minced chicken and stir-fry until it changes colour, about 5 minutes. Add cabbage and stir-fry for 2 minutes. Stir in water chestnuts, soy sauce, sesame oil and ginger. Remove from heat and let cool.
• Place wonton wrappers on wok surface and cover with damp kitchen towel. Working with one wrapper at a time, lay it on work surface and place 1 tsp minced chicken in middle. Brush edges with beaten egg, fold wrapper diagonally and curl around finger to form a tortellini-like shape. Set aside, covered with plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining wonton wrappers.
• Combine chicken stock and sherry in saucepan. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Add shrimp and wontons and simmer until shrimp change colour, about 3 minutes. Stir in noodles, spinach or bok choy, pork and sliced chicken and simmer until noodles, pork and chicken are heated through, 4-5 minutes.
• Ladle into individual bowls. Offer soy sauce at table, to be added to taste.

Note: This traditional Chinese soup acquired its name from the use of noodles, which are long, and wonton dumplings, which are short, added to a clear broth. It is a meal on its own.