Fragrant and colorful, this old favorite gets a reboot. If you have time, prepare it a day ahead for next-level flavor. Also referred to as bean curd, tofu is a good source of protein, calcium and phosphorus, all of which are great for bones. It’s also packed with manganese and thiamin (vitamin B1).
Ingredients
- 2 shallots
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 2 cm piece of ginger
- 4 free-range chicken thighs , skin off, bone in
- groundnut oil
- sesame oil
- 1 star anise
- 2 tablespoons low-salt soy sauce
- 100 g fine rice noodles
- ½ a bunch of fresh coriander , (15g)
- ½ a bunch of fresh mint , (15g)
- 100 g tofu
- 4 spring onions
- ½ a fresh red chilli
- 100 g baby spinach
- 4 seaweed nori sheets
- 1 lime
Method
- Peel and finely slice the shallots, garlic and ginger. Remove the meat from the chicken thighs, reserving the bones, and slice it into nice thin strips.
- Place a large pan over a medium–low heat with a good lug of groundnut oil, then fry the shallots, ginger and garlic for 5 minutes, or until soft.
- Add the chicken with 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and fry for a few minutes more.
- Throw in the chicken bones and star anise, then cover with 700ml of water. Gently bring to the boil, reduce the heat to low, then cover and simmer for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the chicken is tender.
- Season the broth with the soy sauce and black pepper. Fish out and discard the bones.
- Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to the packet instructions, then divide between two deep bowls.
- Pick the herbs, chop the tofu into 1cm cubes, trim and finely slice the spring onions, then finely slice the chilli.
- Ladle the broth over the noodles, then top with the herbs, spring onions, chilli, spinach and tofu.
- Roughly chop and scatter over the nori, then finish with a squeeze of lime, and tuck in!