Ginger Chicken Soup with Radishes

This Ginger chicken soup with radishes might seem like a far Eastern creation, but it is in fact influenced by flavors from a Northeast Indian experience. The Northeast of India is a small segment of the country consisting of seven small states, collectively known as the seven sisters. The states are Sikkim, Tripura, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam and Mizoram. The cuisine of these regions is still not completely integrated into the mainstream of the rest of the country. Of course, certain dishes such the gently spiced dumplings called momos and spicy noodle soups such as the Thupka are well into the fabric of Indian cuisine, leaving us still waiting to explore some of the other dishes.

My Ginger Chicken Soup with Radishes Story

Today’s recipe is actually inspired by a soup I enjoyed at a Mizo household many moons ago. In this case the world inspired is truly a matter of culinary interpretation. The original recipe w made of mini meatballs and a heavier sauce is a little different. What is in common between these two is the use of the soy sauce and the large amount of ginger.

Seasonings like this are both powerful and simple all at once. They are the hallmark of flavors of North Eastern India. A region not surprisingly is influenced by their neighbors. Not unlike the rest of India.

The Flavors of Spring

The ginger in this soup mellows with the long simmering. Gentle and punchy all at once. In walking along NYC, as I always do to head into work. I am noticing the little shrubs and early daffodils poking their heads out, valiantly trying to usher in spring. The temperatures might be chilly but I have certainly been enjoying the beautiful and brilliant sunshine. I refuse to accept that there might be a chance of snow.

Radishes, spring onions, chives all are harbingers of spring weather, in this this soup along with the ginger there are radishes and scallions that have been added to make the medley more substantial, and interesting. As with a lot of my cooking there is always room for lime and cilantro.  I used chilies sparingly in this recipe, but if you like it spicier by all means up the heat.

g in just a little to add body and depth to this gently recipe also tastes good! I originally had thought of adding noodles, but did not want to clutter the light soup with too much heaviness.