Dak Gomtang (Korean Chicken Rice Soup)

 

          Dak Gomtang is a very light and an ultimate comfort food - Korean style. It is also a very healthy one-pot meal with the goodness of chicken, rice and few basic veggies. It is a fuss-free recipe that is incredibly simple, easy and quick to prepare. 

          This soothing soup is typically served in individual bowls with some rice and topped with shredded chicken and spring onion. Traditionally it is served with kimchi. You may relish on its own or with some chili-garlic sauce as an accompaniment. So this soul satisfying chicken soup is an ideal winter delicacy.

          This yummy Korean soup is traditionally prepared with a whole chicken. However I used few curry cut pieces along with some onion, ginger, garlic and spring onion for the stock. I also added a chicken stock cube for some extra flavour. But it is purely optional. 

          Dan Gomtang is traditionally done in an open pot. But, I used a short cut method by preparing this soup in a pressure cooker. It came out just perfect. So this is a perfect light meal for dinner. You can make use of noodles instead, for some variation.

• 1 cup cooked rice 
• 4-5 pieces of curry cut chicken with bones
• 1 onion, cut into four pieces
• 1 cup spring onion, roughly chopped
• 4-5 garlic cloves, crushed
• 1" ginger sliced
• 1/2 tsp. whole peppercorns
• 1 chicken stock cube (opt)
• 3 cups water
• salt & pepper to taste 
• 1-2 tbsp. chopped spring onion (green part) to garnish 

          Pressure cook all the ingredients (except rice) for 3-4 whistles. Strain the stock and keep aside. 

          When the chicken is cool enough, then shred the meat off the bones and keep aside.  

          To serve - place some rice in the serving bowl. Then top it up with some shredded chicken pieces and chopped spring onion.

          Ladle some piping hot stock over it. Season with salt and pepper. Enjoy with spicy red chili-garlic sauce. 

Lemony Vegetable Soya Stew

       
         Now that Diwali is over, how about some detoxification? So here is an absolutely healthy and a nutritious stew / broth with the goodness of some mixed veggies, soya chunks and boiled lobia. Enjoy this simple meal either for lunch / dinner with a dash of lime. You need nothing else. Light on the stomach, it is a soul satisfying meal. So check the step by step guide pictorial recipe to prepare it.

• 3 cups chopped mixed veggies, cubed (Carrot, green papaya, beans, green peas, bottle gourd, etc)
• handful of soya chunks
• 1/2 cup boiled lobia
• 1 lemongrass stalk
• 1-2 green chillies, slit
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic, chopped
• 1 onion, sliced
• salt to taste
• 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder
• 1/2 tsp. roasted cumin  powder
• 1 stock cube
• 1 tbsp. oats
• 1 tsp. lime juice

          Heat oil and saute the garlic till light brown. Then add the onion and continue to fry till light brown in colour.

          Add all the chopped veggies, turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemongrass, stock cube and green chilies. Fry for two minutes on high flame.

          Add 1 1/2 - 2 cups water, salt, soya chunks and oats. Pressure cook for one whistle. When done, add the lobia. Mix well and serve with a dash of lime for a healthy and sumptuous meal.


          

                  Heat oil & saute garlic till light brown. Add onion & fry till light brown.

                                Add all chopped veggies, the stock cube, followed by.....

                  turmeric powder, cumin powder, lemongrass & green chilies. Fry for two 
                  minutes on high flame.

                              Add the soya chunks,

                               1 & 1/2 - 2 cups water, salt and oats. 

                               Pressure cook for 1-2 whistles. 

                               When done, add the lobia. Mix well.

                               Serve with a dash of lime for a healthy & sumptuous meal.