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1
Using a sharp knife, remove the breast meat from the chicken.
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2
Put the rest of the chicken in a large pot and add the sliced ginger, peppercorns and water.
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3
Bring to a boil over moderately high heat, skimming.
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4
Add 1 tablespoon of salt, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours, skimming occasionally.
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5
Meanwhile, bring a large saucepan of salted water to a boil.
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6
Skin the chicken breasts and cut the meat into 1-inch pieces.
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7
Put the meat in a food processor, add 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, the cornstarch, vegetable oil and sugar and process to a fine paste.
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8
Scrape the paste into a large bowl and stir in the mushrooms and scallion.
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9
Using 2 teaspoons, shape the chicken mixture into 24 dumplings.
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10
Add the dumplings to the boiling water and simmer over moderate heat until firm and springy, about 5 minutes.
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11
Using a slotted spoon, transfer the dumplings to a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
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12
Reserve the cooking liquid.
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13
Put the rice noodles in a large bowl, cover with cold water and let soak until pliable, about 25 minutes.
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14
Drain and return to the bowl.
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15
Strain the chicken stock.
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16
Remove the meat from the chicken, discarding the skin.
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17
Tear the chicken meat into large pieces.
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18
Return the chicken stock to the pot, add the remaining 1/4 cup of fish sauce and season with salt and pepper.
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19
Bring to a gentle simmer and keep warm.
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20
Bring the dumpling cooking liquid back to a boil.
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21
For each serving, put one quarter of the rice noodles in a small strainer and cook them in the boiling liquid, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 40 seconds.
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22
Lift out the strainer, shaking the noodles to drain them, and turn them out into a soup bowl.Add one quarter of the chicken meat and dumplings to the strainer and rewarm in the cooking liquid, then add to the rice noodles.
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23
Ladle about 3 cups of the chicken broth on top and garnish with snow peas, cilantro and a few drops each of sesame oil and chili oil.
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24
Top with bean sprouts and serve at once.
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25
Repeat with the remaining ingredients.