Thai Coconut Curry Soup

Our very own Jen Booton brought this soup in for lunch the other day and it smelled so good that I had to ask for a taste… and let me tell you, I was glad that I did.

The perfect blend of spicy and sweet, this Thai Coconut Curry soup is extremely versatile (code for you can definitely switch up the veggies and add extra to make it heartier and healthier) and perfect for the whole family. You could also use a different protein if you’re not feeling chicken. Personally I think prawns would make a yummy variation. ????

Enjoy!

Kelly

Courtesy of Chef Michael Smith

Ingredients:

2 cans (14-ounce/400 mL each)of premium coconut milk
1 heaping tablespoon (20 mL) of Thai curry paste
the tender stems of 1 bunch of cilantro, rinsed well
2 chicken breasts, thinly sliced
2 cups (500 mL0 of chicken broth
1 carrot, shredded
4 or 5 lime leaves
2 stalks of lemon grass, halved lengthwise, woody leaves removed
2 tablespoons (30 mL) of fish sauce
the zest and juice of 2 limes
a small knob frozen ginger
a handful bean sprouts
a 8 ounce (225 g) package rice noodles
1 bunch of cilantro leaves, rinsed well
2 or 3 green onions, thinly sliced
a sprinkle or two salt or soy sauce

Instructions:

Scoop the thick coconut cream from the top of just one of the cans into a large stockpot set over a medium-high heat. Melt the cream, add the curry paste and stir for a few minutes until they begin to sizzle.
Add the cilantro roots and chicken and sauté until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Add the coconut juice from the first can and all the contents of the second can along with the chicken broth, carrot, lime leaves, lemon grass, fish sauce and lime zest and juice. Grate the frozen ginger into the broth with a Microplane grater or standard box grater. Simmer for 20 minutes or so.
Stir in the bean sprouts. Add the rice noodles, gently pushing them beneath the surface of the broth. Turn off the heat and let stand until the noodles soften, about 5 minutes. Rice noodles don’t need to simmer like pasta to cook; they simply need to rehydrate in the hot liquid.
Stir in most of the cilantro leaves. Remove the lemon grass stalks. Taste and season with a touch more salt (or soy sauce) as needed. Ladle into large bowls and garnish with the green onions and remaining cilantro leaves.