FRAGRANT CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP
SERVES 6 PREP 15 MINS COOK 8 HOURS
✦ 1.6kg whole fresh chicken ✦ 2 litres (8 cups) water ✦ 5cm piece of fresh ginger, sliced thinly ✦ 4 cloves garlic, halved ✦ 2 star anise ✦ 2 cinnamon sticks ✦ 4 green onions, cut into 5cm batons ✦ ¼ cup light soy sauce ✦ 2 tbsp brown sugar ✦ 2 tsp sesame oil ✦ 270g packet soba noodles, cooked following packet instructions ✦ coriander sprigs, finely chopped red chilli, to serve
1 Place chicken in a 4.5-litre (18-cup) slow cooker. Add water, ginger, garlic, star anise and cinnamon. Cook, covered, on Low 8 hours. Carefully transfer chicken to a chopping board and tear into large chunks.
2 Meanwhile, strain cooking liquid through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl. Discard solids and return liquid to slow cooker. Stir in onion, soy, sugar and sesame oil. Cook on Low 15 mins.
3 Divide noodles and chicken between bowls. Pour over hot broth. Serve topped with coriander sprigs and chilli.