Soto Medan with a Shaanxi Twist

Ingredients

In this Shaanxi-inspired version of Soto Medan, we incorporate the distinct flavors and spices of Shaanxi cuisine, such as star anise, cinnamon, and cloves. These spices add a unique depth of flavor to the dish, complementing the traditional Indonesian ingredients. Additionally, we use Shaanxi-style noodles instead of the usual rice noodles, giving the dish a different texture and taste. We alse have the original recipe for Soto Medan, so you can check it out.

• 500g (1.1 lb) chicken or beef, thinly sliced 500g (1.1 lb) chicken or beef, thinly sliced
• 1 liter (4 cups) chicken or beef broth 1 liter (4 cups) chicken or beef broth
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised
• 3 kaffir lime leaves 3 kaffir lime leaves
• 2 cm (1 inch) fresh turmeric, grated 2 cm (1 inch) fresh turmeric, grated
• 1 cinnamon stick 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 star anise 2 star anise
• 3 cloves 3 cloves
• 200g (7 oz) bean sprouts 200g (7 oz) bean sprouts
• 200g (7 oz) cabbage, shredded 200g (7 oz) cabbage, shredded
• 2 carrots, julienned 2 carrots, julienned
• 200g (7 oz) Shaanxi-style noodles 200g (7 oz) Shaanxi-style noodles
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste Pepper, to taste
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving
• Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish Fresh cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• Fried shallots, for garnish Fried shallots, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 5g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves. Sauté until fragrant.
2. 2.
   Add the chicken or beef to the pot and cook until browned.
3. 3.
   Pour in the chicken or beef broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Remove the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves from the broth.
5. 5.
   Add the grated turmeric, bean sprouts, cabbage, and carrots to the pot. Cook for an additional 5 minutes.
6. 6.
   Meanwhile, cook the Shaanxi-style noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
7. 7.
   Season the broth with salt and pepper to taste.
8. 8.
   To serve, divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot broth with meat and vegetables over the noodles.
9. 9.
   Garnish with fresh cilantro and fried shallots. Serve with lime wedges on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lemongrass — Bruise the lemongrass stalks by lightly pounding them with a rolling pin or the back of a knife to release their flavor.
• Fresh turmeric — Wear gloves when grating fresh turmeric to avoid staining your hands.
• Shaanxi-style noodles — If Shaanxi-style noodles are not available, you can substitute with any other type of wheat noodles.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a teaspoon of chili paste or sambal oelek to the broth.
• Customize the toppings by adding sliced boiled eggs, fried tofu, or crispy fried shallots.
• To save time, you can use store-bought chicken or beef broth instead of making it from scratch.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences by adding more salt, pepper, or lime juice.
• Make a larger batch of the broth and freeze it in portions for quick and easy meals.

Serving advice

Serve the Soto Medan with a Shaanxi Twist hot, accompanied by lime wedges for squeezing over the soup. Provide additional garnishes such as fresh cilantro and fried shallots on the side, allowing each person to customize their bowl according to their taste.

Presentation advice

Present the Soto Medan with a Shaanxi Twist in individual bowls, showcasing the vibrant colors of the vegetables and the aromatic garnishes. Arrange the noodles at the bottom of each bowl and ladle the hot broth with meat and vegetables over them. Garnish with fresh cilantro and fried shallots for an appealing visual presentation.