mohinga

Mohinga is a traditional and beloved dish in Myanmar, often considered the country's national dish. It is a flavorful and hearty fish-based noodle soup that is commonly enjoyed as a breakfast dish but can be eaten at any time of day. Mohinga is known for its rich broth and aromatic spices, making it a popular comfort food across Myanmar.

Here's a basic recipe to make Mohinga at home:

Ingredients:

For the broth:

- 500 grams fish fillets (such as catfish or snakehead fish)

- 2 liters water

- 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised

- 3 kaffir lime leaves

- 3 cloves garlic, smashed

- 3 shallots, halved

- 1-inch piece of ginger, sliced

- 1 tablespoon fish sauce

- 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (optional)

- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric

- Salt and pepper to taste

For the soup:

- Rice vermicelli noodles, cooked according to package instructions

- Hard-boiled eggs, halved

- Thinly sliced onions

- Chopped cilantro

- Thinly sliced green onions

- Lime wedges

- Crushed chili flakes (optional)

- Fried chickpea fritters (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, combine the fish fillets, water, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, garlic, shallots, ginger, fish sauce, shrimp paste (if using), ground turmeric, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer. Cook for about 30-45 minutes, or until the fish is cooked through and the broth is flavorful.

2. Remove the fish fillets from the broth and set aside to cool slightly. Once cool enough to handle, flake the fish meat into bite-sized pieces and return it to the broth.

3. To serve, divide the cooked rice vermicelli noodles among serving bowls. Ladle the hot broth over the noodles, making sure to include plenty of fish pieces.

4. Garnish each bowl with hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced onions, chopped cilantro, thinly sliced green onions, and a wedge of lime. Sprinkle with crushed chili flakes if desired.

5. Serve the Mohinga hot, with fried chickpea fritters on the side if available.

6. Enjoy your homemade Mohinga!

Feel free to adjust the ingredients and seasonings according to your taste preferences. Mohinga is a versatile dish, and you can customize it with additional toppings such as crispy fried onions, crispy garlic, or fresh bean sprouts.