Chicken Coconut Soup Tom Kha Gai |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 15 Minutes |
Ready In: 15 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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This is my comfort soup. This is not a cure for depression, but when I'm down, it makes me not mind as much, and it's great for colds (I've yet to be proven wrong). When I go to Thailand (or to a Thai restaurant), this is what I ALWAYS order. Read more . If an establishment doesn't offer it, I will NEVER go back... ... one must have standards, after all. Ingredients:
5 cups coconut milk (canned will do) |
2 cups chicken stock |
2 large pieces of chicken breast |
1/2 inch cube of ginger |
2 green chilies (for that burn in the back of the throat) |
2 red chilies (for that burn on the tongue) |
4 lemon grass stalks |
4 kaffir lime leaves (ningmengye in mandarin) |
2 lemons or limes |
4 tablespoons brown sugar |
a handful of coriander sprigs |
salt to taste (traditionally, fish sauce is used to salt this dish... unfortunately, i absolutely detest it) |
Directions:
1. Cut the chicken into 1/2 inch cubes and sprinkle them with about a tbsp of salt, mix well and set aside
2. Grate the ginger finely, or chop up into really, really, REALLY tiny pieces. Chop up the lemon grass and chilies. If you want a hotter flavor, keep the chili seeds. Remove them otherwise if you prefer a milder bite.
3. If you can get fresh lemon grass, chop them up in larger pieces. If you can only get the dried ones, chop them up in smaller pieces.
4. In a large pan, mix the coconut milk, chicken stock, lime leaves and lemon grass. Cook for about 5 minutes in medium heat till it comes to a boil. The thicker the coconut milk, the longer it'll take to boil.
5. Add the remaining ingredients, adding salt last. Cook for about 10 minutes till the chicken cubes are cooked. To test, pull one out and cut it in half. It should be white throughout.
6. Remove from heat , pour into 4 bowls and garnish with coriander sprigs.
7. Chop up your lemons or limes into 4 pieces, and place them next to each bowl. Let others decide how much lemon juice they want in their soup, if at all.
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