Thai Soup: Tom Kha Gai

To contact us Click HERE
I’m on a kick. A soup kick. You may have noticed. Here’sanother good one to add to the list that I found on The Daring Gourmet. It’s spicy, and if that surprises you,then you haven’t been paying attention to my recipes. Even with plenty of(light) coconut milk, it’s more of a brothy soup than a creamy soup. It’s easy,filling and even somewhat healthy. Overall, both my husband and I reallyenjoyed it, and definitely recommend you try it. However, one word of warning…it does not keep. So eat it all the first day. (You’ll want to!)

½  Tbsp vegetable oil1 ½  Tbsps Thai redcurry paste 3 cups chicken broth3 cups unsweetened coconut milk (I used “light”)1 large lemongrass stalk, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces6 thin slices fresh ginger2 Thai chilies, cut in thin slices3 Tbsps fresh lime juice2 Tbsps Asian fish sauce1 lb chicken breast, cut into thin strips1 cup white button mushrooms, sliced thinly1 cup frozen yellow corn (optional)Cilantro or basil leaves for garnishing
We couldn’t find Thai chilies at Kroger (it’s hit or miss)so we used two habaneros. We did not seed them, but if you are sensitive tospice, you may want to. Start by warming the oil over medium heat in your soup pot.Add in the curry paste, and stir about a minute to a minute and a half.  Next, stir in the chicken broth, coconutmilk, lemongrass, ginger, chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce and bring it to asimmer, about 5 minutes.  We were out offish sauce so we just used soy sauce. Then add in the thinly sliced chicken andsimmer for 15 minutes. We added the corn in at the same time as the chickenbecause we felt like it needed some more veggies. Pay close attention and don’tlet it boil! I didn’t and I think that my coconut milk ended up doing weirdthings because of it. Add the mushrooms and simmer for another 5 minutes.  Salt to taste. Remove the lemongrass andginger before serving. This is the hide and go seek portion of the dinner—have funwith that.  Serve with a garnish of freshThai basil leaves or cilantro.