Singapore-Style Chicken & Noodle Soup

Put onions, chiles, ginger, garlic, nuts, fish sauce, brown sugar, coriander, cumin, curry powder, turmeric, fennel and pepper in a blender. Puree until the mixture forms a paste.

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Using a spatula, scrape in the paste and cook, stirring, until it starts to color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add broth (or stock) and chicken and bring to a simmer. Simmer, turning the chicken once or twice, for 10 minutes. Stir in coconut milk, lime juice and soy sauce and simmer for 5 minutes more.

Remove the chicken and shred into bite-size pieces with two forks. Add tofu, tomatoes and bean sprouts to the soup and cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the shredded chicken.

Meanwhile, prepare noodles according to package directions.

To serve, divide the noodles among 8 soup bowls. Ladle soup over them and top with egg slices, scallions and cilantro. Serve with hot sauce and lime wedges, if desired.