Exquisite Thai Tom Kha Soup with Coconut and Lime

Thai Tom Kha Soup: A Delightful One-Dish Meal 🌶️🍲

If you relish the idea of soups as a hearty and fulfilling main course, this Thai Tom Kha Soup is an absolute delight that will captivate your taste buds with its complex, yet comforting flavors. This dish, with its rich coconut base and vibrant spices, can be tailored to your preferences, whether you choose to keep it traditional or add a unique twist. For a more authentic Tom Kha Gai experience, omit the bok choy, tomatoes, and bean thread noodles, and consider adding extra mushrooms. However, the version provided here is incredibly satisfying as it is. If you can source galangal, traditionally used in Tom Kha Gai, feel free to include it for a more authentic touch. Here’s how you can create this flavorful soup at home.

Ingredients 🛒

• 3 cups coconut milk 🥥
• 1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces 🌿
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce 🐟
• 2 teaspoons shrimp paste (optional) 🍤
• 1 tablespoon low sodium soy sauce 🍶
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar 🍾
• Zest of 1 lime 🍋
• Juice of 2 limes 🍋
• 3 serrano chili peppers, sliced 🌶️
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger 🫚
• 2 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar 🍬
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces 🍗
• 2 cups white mushrooms, sliced 🍄
• 1 cup chopped bok choy 🥬
• 2 tomatoes, chopped 🍅
• 1 cup bean thread noodles 🍜
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped 🌿
• Additional lime juice to taste 🍋

Instructions 🥄

1. Heat the Base:
   Begin by placing a large, heavy-bottomed pot on the stove. Pour in the 3 cups of coconut milk and the chicken broth, and set the heat to low-medium. Allow the mixture to warm gently, stirring occasionally to combine.

2. Add Flavor Components:
   Once the coconut milk and chicken broth are well combined, incorporate the lemongrass, fish sauce, shrimp paste (if using), soy sauce, white vinegar, lime zest, serrano chili peppers, grated ginger, minced garlic, and brown sugar. Stir thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed into the broth.

3. Simmer Gently:
   Bring the broth to a slow simmer, ensuring it does not reach a rolling boil. Avoid covering the pot to maintain the aromatic qualities of the soup. Allow the flavors to meld together gently.

4. Add Chicken and Vegetables:
   As the broth simmers, start adding the chicken pieces to the pot. Continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through. This should take approximately 5-10 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Ensure that the chicken is fully cooked by checking its internal temperature or cutting into a piece to confirm it’s no longer pink.

5. Incorporate Remaining Ingredients:
   Once the chicken is cooked, add the sliced white mushrooms, chopped bok choy, and chopped tomatoes to the pot. Allow these ingredients to cook for an additional 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender but still vibrant.

6. Prepare Bean Thread Noodles:
   While the vegetables are cooking, prepare the bean thread noodles according to the package instructions. Typically, these noodles need to be soaked in hot water for about 10 minutes, then drained.

7. Final Touches:
   Add the cooked bean thread noodles to the soup and stir well. Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if necessary. If you prefer a more pronounced tanginess, add a tablespoon or two of additional lime juice. Remember, it’s easy to add more lime juice, but difficult to correct if you’ve added too much, so do this gradually.

8. Add Fresh Cilantro:
   Just before serving, stir in the chopped fresh cilantro. This adds a burst of freshness and enhances the overall flavor profile of the soup.

9. Serve and Enjoy:
   Ladle the soup into bowls and serve immediately, garnishing with extra lime wedges if desired. This soup pairs beautifully with a side of steamed jasmine rice or as a standalone dish that will warm you from the inside out.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving) 📊

• Calories: 256.5
• Fat: 11.4 g
• Saturated Fat: 9.3 g
• Cholesterol: 18.9 mg
• Sodium: 536.9 mg
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 2.2 g
• Sugar: 6.6 g
• Protein: 10.7 g

Enjoy your culinary adventure with this Thai Tom Kha Soup, a dish that beautifully balances the creaminess of coconut milk with the bright, tangy flavors of lime and the subtle heat of chilies. This recipe is perfect for a cozy dinner or a special meal that will impress your family and friends. 🌟🥥🍲