Sour (Pickle) Bamboo Soup

My Mother used to cook with different types of bamboo depending on what she’s making and occasionally I would take a bite especially when that is the only dish that Mother made that day. Perhaps it’s because I was too lazy to make something else? I’ve never been a fan and still NOT a fan of bamboo but as you can see I wanted to learn.  The flavor of this soup taste very similar to the traditional Sour Chicken Soup (Sngor Jrouk).

Sour Bamboo Soup with Chicken

So here is my attempt.

Sour (Pickle) Bamboo Soup with Chicken.
5 chillies, roughly chop (optional – if you don’t like spicy)
2 lemongrass stalk white part only, thinly slice
2 shallots, thinly slice
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
3 boneless/skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite size
4 tablespoon fish sauce
2 cups of water
1 cup sour (pickle) bamboo
1/2 cup Thai basil, chop
1 stalk green onion, cut 1 inch a part

In a mortar & pestle (or food processor/blender) combine chillies, lemongrass and shallots into a paste. Set aside.

In a pot bring 2 cups of water to a boil then add the paste. Stir to incorporate. Add chicken along with salt and cook until chicken is done.

Add bamboo and fish sauce and continue cooking for another 1-2 minutes.

Turn off the heat and add basil & green onions. Serve hot with steam rice.