Chicken Pho - Vietnamese Chicken Soup

Ingredients:
2 Litres Water with chicken bouillon or home-made chicken stock (Kosher bouillon cubes are vegan)
Chicken breast, thigh, back or other favourite parts
2 broth cubes {If using water}  Pho Cubes {beef or chicken} are also available in Asian Markets
One or two Star Anise {absolutely essential!}
A small piece of ginger, cut into a a cube for later retrieval 
Cellophane (rice stick) noodles

Coriander leaves (Cilantro)
Bean Sprouts, Rinsed
Sliced scallions - mostly the tender green part
Asian Basil or Italian Basil, which is stronger
Cut up lemons and limes
Small red, hot chillies
Optional - Soy sauce, fish sauce, toasted sesame oil

Method:
Roast the chicken parts, skin on, until tender.  Remove and set aside.  Once cool, skin the chicken and tear into fairly good sized pieces.

Cool the broth and skim the fat off the top and strain to remove the Star Anise.

Boil Cellophane (rice stick) noodles or Rice Vermicelli according to package directions.  This only takes a few minutes.  Drain and rinse.  Set aside.

In bowls or on a lovely plate place the following:

Coriander leaves, washed  {also known as Cilantro or Chinese Parsley}
Bean Sprouts, Rinsed
Sliced scallions - mostly the tender green part
Asian Basil or Italian Basil, which is stronger
Cut up lemons and limes - each diner can squeeze on the amount they wish
Small red, hot chilies, sliced  {WARNING:  Wear gloves!!!}

Heat the broth and put some of the skinned, boiled chicken in it.  Sprinkle with a few scallion slices.  Serve up in large bowls, very hot.

Add cooked Vermicelli and serve immediately.

Each person then will take their share of coriander leaves, bean sprouts, scallions, Asian basil,  and chillies and add this to their own  bowl.  Some add soy sauce, fish sauce or other oriental sauce and squeeze on lemon or lime juice into their own bowl.  I often enjoy a bit of toasted sesame oil in mine.

Yum!

This recipe may be made Vegetarian/Vegan if one wishes.  Simply use Kosher chicken broth cubes as they contain no meat.  Add some tofu to replace the protein found in the chicken.