Bon Appetite Part 2- Thai soup

Can you say Tom Kha Gai three times fast? I sure can't but it's fun to try! ;-)

Anyway, I have these fabulous friends whose names are Matt and Melissa. Oh, and they have this fabulous little guy named Caleb. Once you see their pics, you will think them to be super fab as well. ;-)

The other night we had a soup called Tom Kha Gai. It was absolutely delicious! It consisted of bite sized chicken cooked in a mixture of chicken broth, coconut milk, spices and lemon grass. They also added sliced carrots and onions. This soup is to die for people. You really need to try it if you like Asian food. Oh, and did I mention the tiny little jalapeño peppers that pack a huge wallop of heat in them? Yup,they were thrown in there too.


Here is the recipe for those who would like to take a cooking adventure.
Ingredients:
4 cups chicken broth
8 large slices peeled fresh galangal or 4
slices peeled fresh ginger
1 large lemongrass stalk, cut into 2-inch pieces,
crushed
16 fresh kaffir lime leaves, torn in half, or grated zest of 1 large lime
2 cans (each 14 oz.) coconut milk
1/4 cup lime or lemon juice
2 to 3 Tbs. Thai fish sauce
2 Tbs. light brown sugar
1 Tbs. red chili paste
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into
bite-size pieces
1/2 lb. fresh white mushrooms, brushed clean and
thinly sliced
5 small fresh red or green chilies, sliced
crosswise paper-thin
Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Directions:
In a large saucepan, combine the broth, galangal, lemongrass and lime leaves. Place over medium heat and slowly bring to a boil. Boil for 1 minute.

Reduce the heat to low, add the coconut milk, stir to combine and bring to a simmer. Add the lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and chili paste; mix well and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the chicken pieces and simmer until tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the mushrooms and simmer until tender, about 1 minute more.

To serve, ladle into warmed bowls. Float the chili slices and cilantro leaves on top.
Serves 4 to 6.

Here is a picture of Matt pounding the life out of the Lemon Grass. LOL!


Little Caleb wondering what the heck is daddy doing and, by the way, where is MY food?


Matt did a great job cutting up that chicken.


Melissa did a great job cutting up the onions and carrots. They both make a great team.


Melissa ecstatic about eating her soup. Teee heee! ;-)


Awe, Caleb finally got his dinner. Num Num...


The finished product. Bon Appetite!