Chicken peppersoup: A warming, spicy delight to savour

Ingredients for Chicken peppersoup

• 15 ml anise seeds

• 15 ml coriander seeds

• 15 ml cumin seeds

• 15 ml allspice berries

• 15 ml ground ginger

• 15 ml fennel seeds

• 15 ml Sichuan peppercorns

• 15 ml dried tamarind pulp

• 5 ml whole cloves

• 1 (1.35 kg) chicken, cut into serving pieces

• 60 ml freshly squeezed lemon juice

• 960 ml water

• 1 onion, minced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 30 ml dried bird chiles, or to taste

• salt, to taste

• 960 ml chicken stock

• 60 ml pepper soup spice mixture

• 30 ml minced dried smoked shrimp

• 30 ml chopped fresh mint

• mint sprigs (for garnish)

How to make Chicken peppersoup

1. Mix all the ingredients for the peppersoup spice mixture in a bowl until well combined.

2. Transfer the mixture to a spice mill and pulse until finely pulverised.

3. Spoon the peppersoup spice mixture into a clean glass jar and seal tightly.

4. Although the spices will keep virtually indefinitely, they may lose their potency over time. It’s advisable to make a small batch initially and increase the quantity as you use it more frequently.

5. Wash the chicken pieces under cold running water and rub them with lemon juice.

6. Place the chicken in a large stockpot and add enough water to cover it, along with the onion, garlic, and minced chiles.

7. Season with salt to taste and bring to a boil over high heat.

8. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 30 minutes.

9. Add the chicken stock and 60 ml of the peppersoup spice mixture, then continue to cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.

10. Stir in the shrimp and mint, and cook for a further 10 minutes until the shrimp are pink and cooked through.

11. Serve the soup hot in bowls, garnished with a few sprigs of fresh mint.

Disclaimer
While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.