Laotian Chicken & Rice Soup

My hubby used to eat this soup when he was there and it was a hit. Now I sometimes substitute or add fresh mushrooms. Either is great. Photos are of the soup with the chicken and mushrooms and then the second photo is the same soup with rice. Young children may find this too spicy. For those that cannot have milk, this fits the menu. I have used minced white onion and dried cilantro in place of spring onions.

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 2  garlic cloves, crushed
• 2  tablespoons  peanut oil
• 6  green spring onions, sliced very thin
• 1  teaspoon fennel seed
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3  tablespoons peanuts, chopped fine (optional)
• 3 1⁄2 cups coconut milk
• 1  cup cooked rice
• 1 -2  cup  diced  cooked chicken
• 2  cups  sliced mushrooms (optional)

Directions

1. In large pot, add oil, garlic spring onions, fennel seeds, cayenne pepper, cinnamon and peanuts. Saute until a little brown and toasted.
2. Add coconut milk and rice. Cover. cook 15 minutes on low.
3. Note: You may add mushrooms instead of rice.
4. in this step.
5. Stir a few times during cooking.
6. Add cooked chicken.