Soto Ayam

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup peeled garlic cloves
• 1 cup sliced shallots
• 1/4 cup salted, roasted macadamia nuts or blanched almonds
• 6 thin slices (the size of a quarter) fresh galangal or fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 tablespoon salad oil
• 2 1/2 quarts fat-skimmed chicken broth
• 1 stalk (12 to 15 in.) fresh lemon grass or 3 strips (1/2 by 4 in.) lemon peel, yellow part only
• 1 1/2 pounds boned, skinned chicken breasts, rinsed
• 4 to 6 ounces dried bean thread noodles (saifun)
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cups finely shredded cabbage
• 3 cups bean sprouts, rinsed and drained
• 1 cup thinly sliced green onions, including tops
• 1 cup diced Roma tomatoes
• 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 4 hard-cooked large eggs, shelled and cut into wedges
• 2 cups potato chips or shrimp chips (optional)
• Lime wedges
• Chili sambal, Asian red chili paste, or minced fresh hot chilies