In Sickness or in Health

Yes, the cold lingers. But really, I'd want to be eating this soup in sickness or in health. I found the recipe for the broth in a book on lemons, Lemons: Growing, Cooking, Crafting, by Kate Chynoweth and Elizabeth Woodson, which I looked through last weekend at the home of Susan B, my friendly crack—I mean, fresh meyer lemon—supplier. Meyer lemons are only slightly less addictive for me, and sadly seasonal. I'm sure to be going into withdrawal soon.

With the combination of lemongrass, lemon juice, ginger, and fresh cilantro, this broth brings together some of my very favorite flavors. I've added some extra goodies—oyster mushrooms, tomatoes, chicken meat—to make it more of a soup. It's warming and sure to get that congestion moving.

In case you're worrying about my long, drawn out illness, yes, I have felt like Camille this year, tragically wasting away with consumption (now if only I could look as stunning as Greta Garbo while doing so). But I am getting better. I went to a friend's birthday last night at a marvelous tented Moroccan restaurant and ate with my hands. And this afternoon I attended a party at the home my friend Mary shares with her husband.

Mary is a real chef, a graduate of the California Culinary Academy, and her parties are the stuff of legends. Today's spread celebrated Valentine's Day and included an entire room full of sweets—chocolates, strawberries, chocolate dipped strawberries (in dark and milk chocolate, thank you very much), Mexican wedding cookies, cake, fruit. Oh my! And everything was beautifully displayed. I wished I had brought my camera (watch out Mary, next year I am blogging your party). But you too can share in Mary's wealth of food knowledge and experience. Check out her food blog (especially if you like your life a little spicy). Perhaps she'll share with us the secret of the delicious Hawaiian-style barbequed pork dish she served today.* It was amazing.

But I must say, after indulging in chocolate all afternoon at Mary's, I was pretty happy with this simple soup for dinner. You will be too.




SPICY LEMON GINGER CHICKEN SOUP
Adapted from Lemons: Growing, Cooking, Crafting, by Kate Chynoweth and Elizabeth Woodson
1-2 fresh chili peppers—serano or jalapeno (2 were too spicy for me, but I am a heat wimp)
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut into 2-3 inch pieces
2-inch piece of ginger, peeled and cut into slices lengthwise
2 cloves garlic, peeled
4 cups chicken broth (homemade is best for this recipe, with such a broth-based soup the quality of your stock will make it or break it)
1/4 cup (or more) fresh lemon juice, and slices for garnish
8 pieces of oyster mushroom, carefully wiped clean
1 Roma tomato, thinly sliced across the width
Half a chicken breast, thinly sliced
Fresh cilantro
1 cup pre-cooked rice, wonton wrappers, or rice noodles, as desired

Trim the chilies and lemongrass. Cut the chilies lengthwise. With the broad side of a large chef's knife, smash the lemongrass, garlic, ginger. Place in a saucepan with the chicken broth. Boil for 5 minutes, turn down and simmer for 10 minutes. Strain the broth, reserving the lemongrass, and return the broth to the saucepan. Add the chicken, lemon juice and, and lemongrass and continue to cook on a low boil 5 minutes. Slice the oyster mushrooms and add to the broth (yes, I sliced mine after I took the photo), cook 5 minutes. Remove the lemongrass stalks and add the tomato slices. Add the rice or noodles. Pour into bowls and garnish with the cilantro. Serves two.

*Update: Mary said the recipe for Kalua Pork is on her blog. I must have read it before, but got unnerved at the idea of using something called "liquid smoke." Now, having tasted the recipe, I'm up for the challenge. This stuff is delish—the pork is falling apart tender and the barbeque sauce with pineapple is amazing. Usually I don't like pineapple with meat (Hawaiian pizza is an abomination to me) but here it works—and how! I'm not a big meat eater—and even less of a pork eater—but I kept on going back for more. Perhaps it's time for a mid-winter luau?