THIS WONDERFULLY AROMATIC SOUP, called tom ka gai, is one of my favourite Thai starters. It is incredibly easy to make and cooks in next to no time. For a quick midweek supper, serve larger bowls – tossing in some blanched rice noodles and a handful of beansprouts and coriander leaves. Simple and delicious.

SERVES 4-6

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 250g sea salt and black pepper
400ml tin reduced-fat coconut milk
600ml water
3cm knob of fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
4 kaffir lime leaves, torn in half (or pared zest of 1 lime)
1 lemongrass stalk, trimmed and halved lengthway
2 red chillies, halved lengthways and deseeded
1 tbsp palm sugar (or soft light brown sugar)
2½ tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp lime juice, or to taste
100g button mushrooms, cleaned handful of coriander leaves, to garnish

Thinly slice the chicken breasts, cutting across the grain, into bite-sized pieces. Place in a bowl, season with a little salt and pepper and set aside.

Pour the coconut milk into a saucepan, then add the 600ml water, using the tin as a measure (i.e. ½ tins). Add the ginger, kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass, chillies, sugar, fish sauce and lime juice. Bring to a simmer and cook gently, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.

Add the mushrooms to the broth and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the chicken, stir well and simmer until cooked through; this will only take 1-2 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to.

Serve the soup in warm bowls, discarding the ginger, lemongrass, chillies and lime leaves if you wish; traditionally, these aromatics are left in the soup but not eaten. Garnish each bowl with some coriander leaves and serve immediately.

Summary

Recipe Name

Chicken in spicy coconut broth

Published On

2014-04-26

Average Rating

5 Based on 1 Review(s)