Deconstructed Wonton Soup

Ingredients

• 500 g chicken breast mince
• 2 tsp sesame oil (for meatballs)
• 2 garlic cloves (minced, for meatballs)
• 1 tbsp ginger paste (for meatballs)
• 1.5 tbsp soy sauce (for meatballs)
• 0.25 tsp white pepper
• 2 spring onions (finely chopped, for meatballs)
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (for soup base)
• 4 garlic cloves (minced, for soup base)
• 1 tbsp ginger paste (for soup base)
• 4 spring onions (thinly sliced, white and green parts separated)
• 6 cup reduced-salt chicken broth
• 2 tbsp soy sauce (for soup base)
• 2 tsp coconut sugar
• 2 tbsp Chinese cooking wine (Shaoxing wine)
• 1 large carrot (julienned)
• 250 g shiitake mushrooms (sliced; white mushrooms also work)
• 2 bunches baby bok choy (chopped)
• 20 wonton wrappers (cut in half)
• chili oil (for garnish)

Steps

1. 1

   In a medium bowl, mix all chicken wonton ingredients (chicken breast mince, 2 tsp sesame oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 tbsp ginger paste, 1.5 tbsp soy sauce, white pepper, and 2 chopped spring onions) together until well combined. The mixture will be wet, which is normal.

2. 2

   Form the chicken mixture into small meatballs (about 1 heaped teaspoon each). You can do this by hand or by using two spoons to drop them directly into the soup later.

3. 3

   In a large pot over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Sauté the 4 minced garlic cloves, 1 tablespoon ginger paste, and the white parts of the 4 spring onions for 2 minutes until fragrant.

4. 4

   Add the chicken broth, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, coconut sugar, and Chinese cooking wine to the pot. Cover and simmer gently for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to infuse.

5. 5

   Drop the chicken meatballs into the simmering broth along with the julienned carrot and sliced mushrooms. Increase heat slightly and boil for 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Add the halved wonton wrappers a few at a time, stirring between additions to prevent them from sticking together.

7. 7

   Add the chopped baby bok choy to the pot and simmer for 2 more minutes.

8. 8

   Ladle the soup into bowls. Drizzle with chili oil and top with the reserved green spring onion tops. Serve hot.

Notes

The chicken mixture is intentionally wet to ensure juicy meatballs; using two spoons to scoop and drop them into the broth is the easiest method. You can substitute white mushrooms for shiitake if needed.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• soup
• wonton
• high-protein
• one-pot
• healthy
• dinner