Despite its name, this dish is not rice at all but noodles—and not even rice noodles but shimmering, transparent bean threads with lots of chicken flavor. Got that straight?
Ingredients
2 1/2 lb chicken thighs (8)
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
2 1/2 qt water
1 large onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 extra-large (Knorr) chicken-bouillon cubes
4 small dried shiitake mushrooms
1/2 lb Chinese bean-thread (cellophane) noodles, cut into 3-inch lengths with kitchen scissors
1/2 cup chopped scallion
1 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
Simmer chicken with salt and ginger in 2 quarts water in a 5-quart pot, partially covered, skimming froth occasionally, until very tender, about 40 minutes. Transfer chicken with tongs to a bowl, reserving broth. When chicken is cool, discard skin and bones and shred meat.
Pour broth through a fine sieve into a bowl and clean pot. Return broth to pot with remaining 2 cups water, onion, bouillon cubes, and mushrooms and bring to a boil, covered. Add noodles and cook, covered, over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand, covered, 30 minutes. Stir in chicken and heat until hot. Stir in scallion, pepper, and salt to taste.
