Indonesian recipes may be new to some of us but they are healthy, delicious and easy to make.

Soto Ayam is an Indonesian chicken soup, with the light and savory flavors that represent that style of cooking.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cook time: 2 hours, 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 small chicken (about 3 pounds)
2 teaspoon salt
1/2 tablespoon vegetable oil
4 shallots, chopped
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, bottom 4 or 5 inches only, crushed
1 garlic clove, crushed
One 1-inch slice fresh ginger, crushed
1/2 teaspoon crushed black peppercorns
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
1 1/2 quarts Chicken Broth
1 1/4 cups diced yellow or white potatoes
1 ounce dried mung bean threads (“cellophane noodles”)
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon red chili or hot bean paste
1/2 teaspoon sugar
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 1/2 celery stalks, diced

Directions:
1. Remove the giblets from the chicken; discard or save the liver for another use. Wash the chicken and rub it with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a skillet over high heat. Add the chopped shallots, lemongrass, garlic, ginger, black pepper, and turmeric. Cook, stirring constantly, until the aroma is apparent, about 30 seconds. Remove from the heat.

3. Combine the broth and remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt with the chicken, giblets, and shallot mixture in a soup pot. Bring to a simmer and cook until the chicken is cooked through and tender, about 45 minutes. Skim often to remove the foam that rises to the surface during simmering.

4. Remove the chicken from the broth and, when cool enough to handle, remove the bones from the chicken. Return the bones to the broth and continue to simmer for another hour, skimming as needed. Meanwhile, dice the chicken meat and set aside.

5. Place the potatoes in a saucepan, cover with cold water, and bring to a simmer. Cook until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and spread the potatoes in a single layer to cool.

6. Soak the beans threads in hot water to cover until tender, about 5 minutes. Rinse and separate the strands under cool running water. Chop into 2-inch pieces and set aside.

7. When the broth has simmered for an hour, strain it through a fine sieve. Mix the soy sauce, chili paste, and sugar together; stir into the strained broth.

8. Add the diced chicken meat, cooked potatoes, soaked bean threads, scallions, chopped eggs, and celery to the broth. Bring to a simmer and add a squeeze of lemon to taste.

9. Indonesian recipes like this tasty soup are nice served in heated bowls, garnished with fried shallots. Pass lemon wedges on the side.

Makes 8 servings