Description
Warm and comforting Thai coconut soup offers a delightful journey through Southeast Asian flavors. Creamy coconut milk, fragrant herbs, and tender chicken create a soul-soothing bowl you’ll savor with pure culinary pleasure.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (or 2 cups cooked chicken)
Liquid and Base Ingredients:
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 3 (13.5-ounce) cans coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 2 teaspoons red curry paste
- 1 stalk lemongrass, minced (or 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, sliced
- Salt, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Lay out all ingredients within easy reach to ensure a smooth cooking process, prepping each component for swift integration.
- Warm vegetable oil in a spacious pot over moderate flame, introducing grated ginger, vibrant red curry paste, and aromatic lemongrass. Sauté these elements, stirring continuously until their essence permeates the kitchen with an enticing fragrance.
- Create a flavor foundation by incorporating chicken broth, umami-rich fish sauce, and caramel-like brown sugar. Allow the liquid to gently bubble, developing depth and complexity for approximately 5 minutes.
- Introduce velvety coconut milk and delicate shiitake mushrooms, blending them thoroughly. Simmer until mushrooms transform, becoming tender and absorbing surrounding flavors.
- Carefully slide peeled shrimp into the simmering liquid, monitoring their transformation from translucent to vibrant pink. For chicken variations, ensure complete cooking before this stage.
- Brighten the soup’s profile with a splash of zingy lime juice, then calibrate seasoning with strategic salt additions to enhance overall taste harmony.
- Transfer the aromatic soup into waiting bowls, cascading a verdant shower of freshly chopped cilantro across the surface. Accompany with steamed rice for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Measure ingredients beforehand to create a smooth, stress-free cooking experience and prevent last-minute scrambling.
- Use fresh lemongrass and ginger for an authentic, vibrant flavor profile that elevates the entire soup’s taste.
- Adjust spice levels by modifying red curry paste quantity, allowing customization for different heat tolerances without compromising the soup’s core character.
- Select wild-caught shrimp or swap with tofu for vegetarian options, ensuring protein variety while maintaining the recipe’s delicious Thai-inspired essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 18 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 12 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg