Simple Thai-style Lemongrass Shrimp Soup
Overview
This Simple Thai-style Lemongrass Shrimp Soup recipe offers a delightful blend of vibrant flavors and is surprisingly easy to prepare, making it perfect for a quick, flavorful meal at home. Adapted from traditional Thai recipes to use more accessible ingredients without compromising on taste, this soup promises to elevate your culinary repertoire.
Recipe Details
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Servings: 4
- Rating: 5 stars (from 17 reviews)
Description
Prepare to be amazed by the ease and deliciousness of this Thai-inspired shrimp soup. It’s a fusion of two recipes from a renowned Thai cookbook, simplified for everyday cooking with substitutions like ginger instead of galangal and lime juice in place of lime leaves. Whether you choose shrimp or opt for thinly sliced chicken breast, this soup promises a burst of authentic Thai flavors that might make you reconsider dining out for similar dishes.
Ingredients
- 1 stalk lemongrass, prepared and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 6 slices gingerroot
- 1 lime, halved and juiced
- 2 red chilies, bruised and deseeded
- 4 cups water
- 4 tablespoons fish sauce
- 4 tomatoes, quartered
- 25 mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cups shrimp, peeled and deveined
- Fresh cilantro, for garnish
Nutritional Information (per serving)
- Calories: 37
- Fat: 0.3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 1426.9mg
- Carbohydrates: 7.6g
- Fiber: 1.7g
- Sugar: 3.9g
- Protein: 2.8g
Instructions
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Prepare Lemongrass: Trim the dry end and top leaves of the lemongrass stalk. Bruise the stalk using the back of a knife and cut into 1-inch pieces.
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Prepare Chilies: Bruise the red chilies, halve them, and remove the seeds. Set aside.
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Boil Water: In a large pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil.
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Infuse Flavors: Add the lemongrass pieces, ginger slices, and squeeze half of the lime juice into the boiling water. Allow it to boil for 2-3 minutes.
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Season the Soup: Stir in the fish sauce and chili-garlic paste. Cook for an additional minute to blend the flavors.
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Add Vegetables: Add the quartered tomatoes and sliced mushrooms to the pot. Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the tomatoes begin to soften and break down.
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Final Touches: Squeeze the remaining half of the lime juice into the soup. Remove the pot from heat.
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Add Shrimp: Add the prepared shrimp to the hot soup. Let it stand for a few seconds until the shrimp turns opaque and is cooked through.
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Garnish and Serve: Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro before serving. Optionally, leave the lemongrass, ginger, and chilies in the soup for added flavor, but remind guests not to consume them directly.
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Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and enjoy immediately while hot.
Tips and Variations
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Chicken Variation: Substitute shrimp with thinly sliced chicken breast. Add the chicken when you include the mushrooms and tomatoes, allowing for a longer cooking time until the chicken is thoroughly cooked.
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Spice Level: Adjust the heat by adding more or fewer red chilies, depending on your preference for spiciness.
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Storage: This soup is best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove before serving.
Conclusion
This Simple Thai-style Lemongrass Shrimp Soup recipe embodies the essence of Thai cuisine with its aromatic lemongrass, zesty lime, and savory fish sauce flavors. Perfect for a quick weeknight meal or to impress guests with its vibrant presentation and complex taste profile, this soup is a testament to the joy of creating restaurant-quality dishes in your own kitchen. Discover the satisfaction of homemade Thai cuisine with this accessible yet authentic recipe.
