Thai Chicken Ginger Soup Recipes

TOM KHA GAI (THAI CHICKEN GINGER SOUP WITH COCONUT MILK)

Steps:

• 1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium in a 4-5 qt stock pot or dutch oven until shimmering. Add onions, mushrooms and bok choy, and saute until onions are soft, mushrooms have begun to release their liquids, and the bok chok leaves are bright green (about 5 minutes).
• 2. Scoot the veggies to the side of the pot and pour in the remaining oil in the cleared space. Sprinkle the curry paste and curry spice over the oil and let simmer for 15 seconds to bloom the spices. Add the lemongrass pieces, ginger and Bird's Eye chilies to the spice oil, and stir to create a paste. The paste should be very loose and wet - if not, mix in a bit of the broth.
• 3. Increase heat to medium-high. Add one cup of broth to the pot and stir all ingredients together. Pour in the remaining broth and both cans of coconut milk. Bring the soup to a low boil.
• 4. When soup is bubbling, reduce heat to medium-low and add the lime leaves, chicken and fish (or soy) sauce. Keep the soup at a gentle simmer - the liquids should bubble but not sputter - 10 to 12 minutes or until chicken/meat substitute is cooked.
• 5. Squeeze both limes over the soup and stir in the quinoa (if using). Turn heat to low and allow soup to rest for 5 minutes. Taste, and add salt, if necessary. Remove and discard the lime leaves and lemongrass stalks (the leaves will be easy to find as they tend to float to the surface; the lemongrass stalks might be more of a challenge. They're not dangerous to eat, but it's an unpleasant gnawing experience - it's best to either remove them or warn your guests of their presence). Ladle soup into bowls and garnish with scallions and cilantro.
• Notes:
• Quinoa is not a traditional ingredient in Tom Kha Gai, but I do love the extra body it gives the soup, along with the added healthy protein. When preparing quinoa specifically for this dish (as opposed to using leftover quinoa), I like to add a couple of drops of toasted sesame seed oil to the quinoa cooking water to give the quinoa a subtle, smoky richness.
• Vegan - this dish is easily made vegan by using chicken meat substitute (or additional mushrooms) and soy sauce, as indicated. Thai curry paste is (in my experience) usually vegan, but do read the labels before purchase.
• Gluten-free - this dish is gluten-free. No alterations need to be made, but do double-check your fish sauce/soy sauce and Thai curry paste. The brands I regularly use are naturally gluten-free, but please read your labels.

THAI COCONUT CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large pot or Dutch oven set over medium-high heat, add a few tablespoons of vegetable oil and cook the shallot, garlic and ginger until fragrant.
• Pour in the chicken stock, coconut milk and a teaspoon or two fish sauce then bring to a simmer. Allow to cook for 5 minutes.
• Add the slices mushrooms, shredded chicken, soy sauce and lime juice. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for 10 minutes. Season to taste.
• Cook the noodles according to package instructions then drain.
• Place noodles in large serving bowls.
• Ladle over the soup then garnish with fresh sliced chillies and cilantro/coriander.

SPICY CHICKEN THAI SOUP

Steps:

• Stir lemon grass, garlic, and ginger together in a large stock pot over medium-high heat. Stir in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes.
• Strain chicken broth and set aside. Discard lemon grass, garlic, and ginger.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; Stir in chicken; cook and stir for 5 minutes.
• Stir in mushrooms and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Stir in red curry paste, fish sauce, and lime juice until combined. Stir in chicken broth and coconut milk; return to a simmer and cook on low for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Skim off any excess oil and fat that rises to the top and discard.
• Stir red onion into the chicken mixture; cook and stir until onion softens, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat and add about 1/2 the cilantro.
• Serve with plates of cilantro, lime wedges, and fresh sliced jalapenos.

THAI CHICKEN SOUP

Steps:

• Bring chicken, water, and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to a boil in a large stockpot. Skim foam. Add garlic, ginger slices, shallots, cilantro, 1/2 cup lemongrass, and the lime zest. Reduce heat. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
• Remove breast, and set aside. Simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.
• Strain soup through a sieve. Reserve legs and thighs, and discard remaining solids. Return soup to stockpot. Let chicken cool slightly. Remove meat from bones, and slice.
• Stir chiles, ginger matchsticks, and sliced lemongrass into strained soup. Simmer for 10 minutes. Skim fat. Stir in lime juice and fish sauce. Season with salt. Garnish with cilantro, and serve with lime wedges.