Chicken & Macaroni Soup

Ingredient
250g macaroni elbows or shells
2 chicken breasts
2 litres water
2 chicken bouillon cube (chicken seasoning)
1 tsp fish sauce
6 shallots, sliced
6 tbsp oil
2 slices day-old bread, cut into cubes
1 bunch coriander leaves, chopped
2 red chillies, sliced

Method
1. Bring a large pot of water to boil, make sure it boiling hot with big bubbles then put macaroni into boil for 12 mins. To test if macaroni is cooked, bite one piece. If it is soft but has a little ;give; it is done - as the Italians who invented this pasta called it - al dente.

2. Overcooking will make it mushy and undercooking will yield hard macaroni. When macaroni is cooked, wash under tap so shells dun stick together.

3. Simmer chicken breasts for 15 mins, in 2 litres water and add chicken bouillon cube and fish sauce. Remove chicken and diced.

4. Fry shallots in oil till brown. Remove. In remaining oil, fry cubed bread into croutons.(see below)

4. Assemble ingredients in individuals bowls, a bowl of macaroni put in 2 tablespooons of chicken meat, fried shallots and croutons. Top up with hot soup and garnish with coriander leaves and cut red chillies.


How to make croutons
Ingredient
1 tbsp of butter
2 slices day old white bread.

Method
1. Chop bread into tiny cubes.

2. Melt butter in a heavy pan, add cubes, stir fry till cubes are evenly coated and are golden brown and crisp.

3. Drain on kitchen paper if desired, cool and store in airtight container is intended for later use.

4. To microwave use same procedure, but apply less butter and microwave on high for 3 minutes. Toss in between once or twice, to let cooking be even.


Note:
1. To save time, throw all the heels in a bread wrapper and freeze until you are ready to make croutons.

2. Use them in salads, on soups, or for your favorite stuffing.

3. You can also throw them in a blender for flavored bread crumbs.