Chou’s Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken (about 3 1/2 pounds)
• 5 quarts water
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 12 dried shiitake mushrooms, whole
• 2 slices fresh ginger, 1/4 inch thick
• 1 head Napa cabbage, cut into 1 1/2 inch squares
• 1 package fish balls (preferably Venus brand)
• Salt to taste
  

Directions:

1. Combine chicken, water, soy sauce and shiitake mushrooms and ginger in a stock pot; bring to a boil.
2. Lower heat to medium- low and simmer for 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Add salt to taste.
3. Add cabbage and fish balls and simmer for another 15 minutes.
4. By the time soup is done, chicken is tender enough to break apart with chopsticks (or fork).
5. Tear off a piece of breast or a leg to serve with bowl of soup.
6. Soup is served over rice, cellophane noodles or pasta.