Quick Asian Noodle Soup

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            FOOD FUNNY
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Thanks to Mary Blankenship for this groaner:

Q: How can you use a lighthouse, rose trellis, windstorm, dune, and
Halloween costume to create something tasty?

A: Make a beacon, lattice, and tornado sand witch.

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            TODAY'S RECIPE
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You can dress this soup up with some sliced cooked chicken or cooked
shrimp, but I think it's great plain, and it beats the socks off that
stuff that comes in the little foil packets.

Quick Asian Noodle Soup

8 cups (2 L) beef, chicken, or vegetable stock
1 onion, quartered
4 star anise*
1 stick cinnamon
1-inch (5 cm) whole piece of fresh ginger, peeled
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1 lb (450 g) thin rice noodles soaked in warm water
for 20 minutes and drained

Optional garnishes:
Lime wedges
Fish sauce* (nam pla or nuoc mam)
Fresh cilantro (coriander leaves)
Fresh basil leaves
Fresh mint leaves
Fresh bean sprouts, trimmed
Hot sauce

* Available in finer supermarkets and Asian specialty shops

Combine the stock, onion, star anise, cinnamon stick, ginger, salt and
pepper in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat
and simmer covered for 20 minutes to 1 hour. Add the noodles and
serve with desired garnishes. Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Tue Mar 22 07:07:58 2005