Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup

This is the last of my "cure for all" healthy, spicy, and super colorful dishes for my long lasting illness. Today is a new day, and the start of Spring...although in South Florida we have exceptional and gorgeous weather all year round. As I was browsing through the March issue of Family Circle, when I spotted this soup, knowing that I have all the ingredients, and I do love spicy, I said "this one is for me!"

If you love fresh herbs, this is a "must" soup for you to try! Fresh mint, and fresh cilantro, not only adorn the beauty of the amazing soup, but the refreshing and spicy flavor will blow you away!

Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup
from Family Circle magazine; March 2012 

2 cans (14 1/2 ounces each) reduced sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
1 cup shredded carrots, (I used matchstick cut sizes)
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
2 scallions, thinly sliced
1 red hot pepper seeded, and thinly sliced (optional)
1 Tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 Tablespoon lime juice
2 teaspoons Asian hot sauce (such as Sriracha)
6 ounces rice noodles (such as Thai Kitchen Stir-Fry Rice Noodles)
1/4 cup mint leaves
1/4 cup cilantro leaves

In a large pot, bring chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups water to a boil. Add chicken, and simmer for 3 minutes. Add carrots, snow peas, and ginger; simmer 3 minutes.

Stir in scallion, soy sauce, lime juice and hot sauce.

Meanwhile, boil rice noodles for 6 minutes. Drain.

Divide cooked noodles among four bowls. Spoon an equal amount of soup into each bowl of noodles. Scatter mint and cilantro over each dish and serve immediately.
Points value: 10


Here's a little history of the Peanut Island.

I have never been to Peanut Island after living here in S. Florida, I'm practically a native Floridian. I'm not crazy about going on small boats, but today was such a beautiful calm day, that I was actually looking forward to this fun adventure!

Just look at this "beauty!"...a boat, leaving from the weekend boat show...lots more boats leaving from the weekend boat show!

More boats either leaving, or approaching Peanut Island!

These boats are from the boat show over the weekend!

More boats from the boat show!

The little boat properly anchored...finally reached Peanut Island!

 

Entrance to the Peanut Island Park.

Beautiful, and serene view at the Peanut Island Park.

Gorgeous Nature Park, at Peanut Island!

Interesting Tiki Hut boat.

 A little snack bar on the water.

The route goes in a circle, at the Peanut Island Park. Totally spectacular scene!

This is PARADISE...seriously, you feel like you are in the Caribbean Islands.

 Here's what the island looks like...79 miles of beautiful nature!

Lots of picnic areas, with grills to cook-out.

Beautiful crystal clear waters on Peanut Island.

One spectacular scene...after the other.

You can have a picnic under this well built Tiki Hut, providing such amazing shade.

Luxury Cruise ships parked on Peanut Island.

This is not Peanut Island...this is the sunset from the third floor balcony from my condo unit, looking across the way, on the Intracoastal...I finally got the best shot...ever, with the beautiful sunset coloring the entire sky!