Thai Coconut Chicken Curry Soup

There is nothing like a spicy bowl of hot soup to warm you up in the middle of winter! Out of the need to use up leftovers and make fridge space, I created this recipe... and I am really happy I did. This recipe came out so good! Even picky eaters like my husband enjoyed it. 

I think this soup would be good with any vegetable--eggplant, squash, etc.

Thai Coconut Chicken Curry Soup

by Anna Theoktisto

Serves 8 portions

1 large onion, 1/2 inch dice

1 Tbsp. minced garlic

2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

2 carrots, thinly sliced

1 red bell pepper, 1/2 inch dice

1 green bell pepper, 1/2 inch dice

3 medium sized gold potatoes, 1/2 inch dice

2 Tbsp. fish sauce

1-2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice

1/2 can or 2 oz Maesri brand red curry paste

3 quarts chicken or turkey broth

1 can coconut milk

2 cups shredded cooked chicken

salt and pepper, to taste

cilantro, to garnish

1. In a large pot, heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Add diced onions and sweat until translucent, about 8 minutes. Add minced garlic and grated ginger. Stirring so nothing sticks to the bottom of the pot, continue cooking for about 1 minute. Add carrot and cook 3 minutes. Add remaining vegetables, red and green bell pepper and potatoes. Stir in the curry paste and cook until vegetables are almost tender and curry paste in aromatic. 

2. Add chicken broth, making sure to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot to ensure nothing sticks. Add the can of coconut milk, fish sauce, lime juice and the shredded chicken. Bring to a boil and then turn heat to low and simmer until all vegetables are tender. Season the soup with salt and pepper to desired taste.

3. If there is any foam or extra oil that forms on the surface of the soup, simply skim it off with a ladle and discard.

4. When soup is ready to serve, garnish each bowl with fresh cilantro leaves.

**I served my soup over a 1/4 cup of steamed brown rice because that is what I had leftover in the fridge. However, this soup would be wonderful served over rice noodles or by itself. 

Always remember to season and taste as you cook! This helps creates layers to your dish and in the end a well seasoned balanced product.