Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken Ginger Soup)

Tom Kha Gai (Thai Chicken Ginger Soup with Coconut Milk)

adapted from several sources

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or grapeseed, divided usage
1 medium onion, diced
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded, caps sliced
1 head baby bok choy, thinly sliced

2 teaspoons red Thai curry paste, regular or roasted
2 teaspoons curry spice blend
1 stalk lemongrass, outer sheath removed cut into 3 pieces or 1 tablespoon lemongrass paste
8 slices fresh ginger (very thin slices) or 1 tablespoon ginger paste
2 or 3 Bird’s Eye (Thai) chilies, red or green, seeds removed, thinly sliced
2 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 cans coconut milk (full or reduced fat)
12 ounces chicken, sliced into thin strips (or use meat-free substitute)
3 kaffir lime leaves (dried or fresh)
2 tablespoons fish sauce (or soy sauce for vegetarian/vegan)

1 lime, cut in half
1 cup cooked quinoa (optional)
1 scallion, thinly sliced, for garnish
2 tablespoons cilantro, minced, for garnish

Instructions:
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.