Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)
2 cup coconut milk
6 thin slices young galangal
2 stalks lemon grass lower third portion only
1 cut into 1 piece, crushed
5 fresh kaffir lime leaves
8 oz boned chicken breast sliced
5 tablespoon fish sauce (nam pla)
2 tablespoon sugar
1/2 cup lime juice
1 teaspoon black chili paste
1/4 cup cilantro/coriander leaves torn
5 green thai chili peppers crushed
A rich, aromatic dinner soup, which is enjoyed throughout the meal. Whenever possible, fresh
kaffir lime leaves should be used, and their flavor and aroma is increased when they are torn
instead of cut with a knife. Young galangal is pale yellow, with firm unwrinkled pink shoots. Fresh
young ginger can be substituted if necessary, but the flavor will not be quite the same. Combine
half the coconut milk with the galangal, lemon grass and lime leaves in a large saucepan and heat
to boiling. Add the chicken, fish sauce and sugar. Simmer for about 4 minutes, or until the chicken
is cooked . Add the remaining coconut milk to the saucepan and heat just to boiling. Place the lime
juice and chili past in a serving bowl, then pour the soup into the serving bowl. Garnish with the
torn cilantro leaves and crushed chili peppers, and serve.
Yield: 4
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