Tom Ka Kai, a traditional Thai soup, is an exquisite dish that tantalizes taste buds with its harmonious blend of spicy, sour, and creamy flavors. The captivating aroma of lemongrass and galangal fills the air as this delectable soup simmers, promising a culinary journey to the heart of Thailand. The creamy coconut milk adds a velvety richness, while the vibrant flavors of kaffir lime leaves and red chili peppers create a symphony of flavors that dance on the palate. Whether you're a seasoned Thai food enthusiast or a novice cook looking to expand your culinary horizons, this article will guide you through the essential steps of preparing an authentic and unforgettable Tom Ka Kai soup, allowing you to bring the vibrant flavors of Thailand into your own kitchen.
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TOM KA GAI (COCONUT CHICKEN SOUP)
The quintessential Thai soup.
Provided by MARBALET
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Chicken Soup Recipes
Time 35m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Cut chicken into thin strips and saute in oil for to 2 to 3 minutes until the chicken turns white.
- In a pot, bring coconut milk and water to a boil. Reduce heat. Add ginger, fish sauce, lime juice, cayenne powder and turmeric. Simmer until the chicken is done, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with scallions and fresh cilantro and serve steaming hot.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 432.7 calories, Carbohydrate 5.5 g, Cholesterol 38 mg, Fat 41.1 g, Fiber 1.7 g, Protein 14.8 g, SaturatedFat 27.4 g, Sodium 786.9 mg, Sugar 0.6 g
LEA'S TOM KA KAI SOUP
It has taken me a long time to perfect this spicy Thai soup recipe. I think it is as good as any other I've tasted at restaurants. Try serving over white sticky rice. Try variations of this recipe until you find what you like. If you don't like coconut milk, try the "Tom Yum" version of this soup without the coconut milk and cream. I don't like coconut very much, but I love this soup with the coconut milk.
Provided by Lea Deesing
Categories Thai
Time 35m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In medium to large saucepan, bring to boil ALL ingredients EXCEPT garlic, red chili, ginger root, cilantro, chicken, and half and half cream.
- Meanwhile, chop the remaining ingredients (except chicken and half and half cream) finely in chopping machine, then add this to the pot.
- Chop and boil the chicken pieces in the soup for around 5 minutes or until fully cooked.
- Add the half-and-half cream to the soup and stir constantly to avoid curdling for around three minutes.
- Remove lemon grass root upon serving, or tell victims to remove before eating the soup!
- Serve soup warm or hot.
- NOTE: fish sauce, oyster sauce, Tom Yum paste may be purchased at a Thai or Chinese market. Also, sometimes your local store will carry these items.
THE BEST THAI TOM KHA SOUP RECIPE
Tom Kha Gai - Thai chicken coconut soup aromatic of lemongrass, lime kaffir leaves and galangal, gives you a refreshing aftertaste with a creamy taste from coconut.
Provided by natty's pantry
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Soup Recipes Chicken Soup Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring coconut milk and chicken stock to a boil in a pot over high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add cilantro, lemongrass, galangal, Thai chile peppers, and kaffir lime leaves; simmer for 5 minutes.
- Increase heat to medium-high heat. Add chicken; simmer until no longer pink in the center, about 7 minutes. Stir in cabbage; cook until wilted, about 3 minutes. Remove soup from heat; stir in lime juice and fish sauce.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 451.8 calories, Carbohydrate 13 g, Cholesterol 69 mg, Fat 36.2 g, Fiber 3.2 g, Protein 23 g, SaturatedFat 27.5 g, Sodium 243.8 mg, Sugar 2.8 g
TOM KA KAI (THAI COCONUT CHICKEN SOUP)
This is my husband's all time favorite Thai soup - but up until now, I haven't been able to recreate it at home. I've played around with several versions to come up with this one. The authentic ingredients make a HUGE difference - although you can use substitutions, of course, it does affect the outcome. I have been able to find the galangal root (much preferred over ginger!!), the lemongrass, and the kaffir lime leaves at my local asian market. Yum yum yum, worth the extra shopping trip!
Provided by Gatorbek
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 35m
Yield 4 bowls, 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- In the bottom of a large soup pot, heat the oil over high heat until very hot but not smoking. I often make this is a wok on the stove.
- Salt the chicken and add to oil, tossing to brown all the pieces. Cook about 3 minutes or until outside is browned, but not necessarily cooked all the way through.
- Add mushrooms and toss. Allow to cook until some of the moisture is cooked out and the mushrooms are soft. Turn down heat to medium-low.
- To prepare the lemongrass, slice and mince the lower portion and reserve the stalk to flavor the soup. You can use a food processor for this, or just mince it by hand. The woody upper portion of the stalk will be removed later, so don't chop it up, simply score it by making a few superficial cuts in it to allow it to flavor the soup.
- Add the whites of the onions, reserving the greens. Add the minced lower portion of the lemongrass, grated galangal, and chilies. Toss until just warmed through.
- Add the lemongrass stalk, lime leaves, chicken stock, coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, brown sugar and remaining onions, reserving just a few for garnish. Simmer over low heat for 15 minutes to allow flavors to blend well.
- Taste test and adjust flavors as follows:.
- Not salty enough - add more fish sauce.
- Too sour - add a little more brown sugar.
- Too spicy - add more coconut milk.
- Not spicy enough - add more chilies.
- Ladle into 4 soup bowls and garnish with remaining onion greens, cilantro, and basil.
- Variations:.
- Add more vegetables such as some sliced red bell peppers with the mushrooms.
- Serve over wide rice noodles for a main dish serving.
- Make vegetarian by increasing mushrooms in place of chicken and substituting vegetable stock.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 478.4, Fat 34, SaturatedFat 21.2, Cholesterol 48.6, Sodium 1453.7, Carbohydrate 20.6, Fiber 0.9, Sugar 8.7, Protein 25.6
TOM KHA (COCONUT SOUP) WITH SHRIMP
The get-everything-at-the-grocery-store version. This version tastes more authentic, but takes more work and time than my other "get-everything-at-the-grocery-store version"
Provided by Erin K. Brown
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 1h10m
Yield 12 cups, 10-12 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cook as much Jasmine rice as needed.
- Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat until just shimmering.
- Add lemon grass, shallots, cilantro and 1 tbsp fish sauce; cook, stirring frequently, until just softened, 2 to 5 minutes (vegetables should not be brown).
- Stir in chicken broth and 1 can of coconut milk; bring to simmer over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer until flavors have blended, 10 minutes.
- Pour broth through fine mesh strainer and discard solids in strainer.
- Rinse saucepan and return broth mixture to pan. Return pan to medium-high heat.
- Stir remaining can coconut milk, curry paste*, and sugar into broth mixture and bring to simmer.
- Reduce heat to medium, add mushrooms, and cook until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add shrimp.
- Serve with desired amount of Jasmine rice.
- *This works very well and can be kept in the pantry until opened (http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CJCBJES1L._SS500_.jpg).
Nutrition Facts : Calories 350.9, Fat 14.9, SaturatedFat 13.1, Cholesterol 37.8, Sodium 924.2, Carbohydrate 47.9, Fiber 0.3, Sugar 44.6, Protein 7.7
Tips:
- Fresh Ingredients: Use fresh ingredients whenever possible to ensure the best flavor and texture in your Tom Kha Kai soup.
- Quality Coconut Milk: Choose full-fat coconut milk for a rich and creamy soup. Avoid using coconut milk from a can, as it often contains additives and preservatives.
- Balance the Flavors: Taste your soup as you go and adjust the seasonings according to your preference. The goal is to achieve a balance between sour, spicy, salty, and sweet flavors.
- Garnish Generously: Cilantro, thinly sliced kaffir lime leaves, and red chili peppers are classic garnishes for Tom Kha Kai soup. They add color, flavor, and aroma to the dish.
- Serve with Sides: Accompany your Tom Kha Kai soup with jasmine rice, crispy shallots, or fried tofu for a complete and satisfying meal.
Conclusion:
Tom Kha Kai soup is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or main course. With its complex flavors and aromatic broth, it's a perfect way to experience the vibrant cuisine of Thailand. Whether you're a seasoned cook or new to Thai cooking, this recipe provides a step-by-step guide to creating an authentic and flavorful Tom Kha Kai soup at home. So gather your ingredients, fire up your stove, and let's embark on a culinary journey to Thailand!
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