Tom kha gai (chicken coconut soup)

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2cupsCoconut milk
6Thin slices young galangal
2Stalks lemon grass,
; lower third portion only,
; cut into 1\" piece, crushed
5Fresh kaffir lime leaves
8ouncesBoned chicken breast, sliced
5tablespoonsFish sauce (nam pla)
2tablespoonsSugar
½cupLime juice
1teaspoonBlack chili paste
¼cupCilantro/coriander leaves
; torn
5Green Thai chili peppers,
; crushed

Directions

A rich, aromatic dinner soup, which is enjoyed throughout the meal.

Whenever possible, fresh kaffir lime leaves hould 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 suop into the serving bowl.

Garnish with the torn cilantro leaves and crushed chili peppers, and serve.

Typed from: "Thailand, the Beautiful Cookbook". ISBN 0-00-255029-6.

by Dale & Gail Shipp, Columbia, Md.

Submitted By DALE SHIPP On 06-16-95