Bharani soup: A heartwarming, spiced chicken broth recipe
Known for its rich flavour and therapeutic qualities, this comforting soup will warm you up and satisfy your taste buds.
Known for its rich flavour and therapeutic qualities, this comforting soup will warm you up and satisfy your taste buds.
Known for its rich flavour and therapeutic qualities, this comforting soup will warm you up and satisfy your taste buds.
With winter here, it's the perfect time to enjoy healthy, piping hot beverages. If you're a fan of clear soups, take it to the next level with this slow-cooked Bharani version. Packed with chicken, spices, and shallots, this aromatic broth is traditionally made using a bharani (a ceramic pot). Known for its rich flavour and therapeutic qualities, this comforting soup will warm you up and satisfy your taste buds. Here’s how to make this delicious, spice-infused dish.
Ingredients
500 grams of chicken pieces (including 50 grams of chicken liver)
¼ cup of sliced shallots
1 teaspoon of julienned ginger
9 garlic cloves, crushed
2 cinnamon sticks (1-inch long)
6 cloves
1 cardamom pod
1 teaspoon of crushed pepper
3 cups of water
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon of white pepper powder
Preparation
Take a porcelain or ceramic jar (bharani) with a tight-fitting lid
Add 500 grams of chopped chicken pieces, including 50 grams of chicken liver
Be sure to include the bones, as they help add richness to the broth
To the chicken, add ¼ cup of sliced shallots, 1 teaspoon of julienned ginger, 9 crushed garlic cloves, 2 cinnamon sticks (each about 1 inch long), 6 cloves, and 1 cardamom pod
Sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of crushed pepper to add a bit of spice to the broth
Pour in 3 cups of water and stir the ingredients well, making sure everything is combined
Close the lid of the bharani tightly to lock in all the flavours during the cooking process
Place the sealed jar into a shallow pan and place the pan inside a pressure cooker
Ensure the water in the cooker reaches about half the height of the jar
Place something heavy on top of the bharani to secure it, if needed
Cover the pressure cooker and cook on a high flame until the first whistle sounds
After the first whistle, reduce the flame to a low simmer and let the soup cook for 4 hours
The slow cooking process helps extract all the flavors from the spices and chicken, creating a rich, flavourful broth
Once the cooking time is up, carefully strain the soup to remove the solid bits of chicken, liver, and spices
Add salt to taste and sprinkle 1 teaspoon of white pepper powder for a little extra kick
Serve the hot Bharani Soup in bowls. This savoury, fragrant broth is perfect for warming you up on a cold day or as a comforting meal anytime.