Chicken Boba Soup

A comforting classic reimagined with a playful twist – delicate spheres of concentrated chicken broth that burst with flavor in every spoonful.

    Chicken noodle soup is the quintessential comfort food, a warm embrace in a bowl. This version elevates the familiar with a touch of culinary innovation. Imagine the soothing broth, tender noodles, and shredded chicken, punctuated by delicate "boba" filled with an intense essence of the very broth it swims in. Each burst is a little explosion of pure chicken flavor, adding a delightful surprise to this timeless soup.

    Heads up- You may have to find some of these ingredients on the internet, or via specialty bulk suppliers. They aren't used to make shady stuff- they're culinary chemistry agents!

Yields: 4 servings Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 2 hours (mostly simmering for the broth)

Ingredients:

For the Rich Chicken Broth:

• 1 (3-4 pound) whole chicken
• 1 large yellow onion, roughly chopped
• 2 large carrots, roughly chopped
• 2 celery stalks, roughly chopped
• 8 cups water
• 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh thyme (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)
• 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)

For the "Burst of Flavor" Broth Boba:

• 1 cup strained, cooled chicken broth (from above)
• 1 teaspoon agar-agar powder
• 1/2 teaspoon sodium alginate (seaweed-based gelling thing)
• 1/2 cup calcium lactate solution (1/2 cup water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon calcium lactate)

For the Soup Assembly:

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (from the whole chicken)
• 4 ounces egg noodles
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Rich Chicken Broth: In a large stockpot, place the whole chicken, chopped onion, chopped carrots, chopped celery, water, peppercorns, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Skim off any foam that rises to the surface.

2. Simmer gently for 1.5 - 2 hours, or until the chicken is cooked through and falling off the bone.

3. Carefully remove the chicken from the pot and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl or pot. Discard the solids. Season the broth with salt to taste.

5. Once the chicken is cool enough to handle, shred the meat, discarding the skin and bones.

6. Create the "Burst of Flavor" Broth Boba: In a small saucepan, whisk together 1 cup of the strained, cooled chicken broth and the agar-agar powder. Bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly, for 1 minute until the agar-agar is dissolved.

7. Remove from the heat and let the broth mixture cool slightly (it should still be liquid but not scalding).

8. In a separate bowl, prepare the calcium lactate solution by dissolving the calcium lactate in 1/2 cup of water. Stir until clear.

9. Using a dropper or a small syringe, carefully drop the slightly cooled agar-agar broth mixture, one drop at a time, into the calcium lactate solution. Small spheres will form instantly.

10. Gently stir the spheres in the calcium lactate bath for 2-3 minutes to allow them to firm up.

11. Use a slotted spoon to carefully remove the broth boba from the calcium lactate solution and rinse them gently in a bowl of fresh water to remove any residual calcium. Set aside.

12. Assemble the Soup: In a clean pot, bring the remaining strained chicken broth to a simmer.

13. Add the diced carrots, diced celery, and diced onion. Cook for 8-10 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender-crisp.

14. Add the egg noodles and cook according to package directions.

15. Stir in the shredded cooked chicken and heat through.

16. Gently add the prepared broth boba to the soup just before serving.

17. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with fresh chopped parsley, and season with freshly ground black pepper to taste.

This Chicken Noodle Soup takes a beloved classic and infuses it with an element of surprise and heightened flavor. The delicate broth boba, filled with the essence of the rich chicken stock, provides a delightful pop of concentrated taste that elevates each spoonful. It's a comforting yet innovative dish that will warm both the body and the spirit.