Recipe of Tom Kha Gai
Tom Kha Gai is a popular and aromatic Thai soup known for its rich and creamy coconut milk base infused with the flavors of lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. This comforting soup is typically made with chicken (Gai), but it can be adapted to your preference. It strikes a perfect balance between spicy, sour, and savory, making it a delightful and heartwarming Thai classic.
Recipe Summary
Preparation
30 min
Servings
4
Difficulty
Intermediate
Category
Soups
Ingredients
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, thinly sliced
- 1 can (14 oz) coconut milk
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2-3 slices of galangal (or ginger, if unavailable)
- 2-3 stalks of lemongrass, cut into 2-inch pieces and smashed
- 4-5 kaffir lime leaves, torn into pieces
- 200g (7 oz) mushrooms, sliced
- 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies, bruised (adjust for spice preference)
- 2-3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1-2 tablespoons sugar
- 2-3 tablespoons lime juice
- Cilantro leaves, for garnish
- Salt, to taste
Join me and let's see how to make Tom Kha Gai
Instructions:
- In a large pot, bring the chicken broth to a gentle boil. Add the galangal (or ginger), lemongrass, and kaffir lime leaves. Simmer for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavors.
- Add the sliced chicken to the broth and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut milk and mushrooms. Continue simmering for another 5 minutes.
- Season the soup with fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice. Adjust these seasonings to achieve your desired balance of flavors - it should be a harmonious blend of salty, sweet, and sour.
- Add the bruised Thai chilies and let the soup simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes. Adjust the spice level by adding more chilies or omitting them.
- Remove the soup from heat and remove the lemongrass, galangal (or ginger), and kaffir lime leaves. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt, if necessary.
- Serve hot in bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves.
- Enjoy your homemade Tom Kha Gai, a taste of Thailand in your own kitchen!
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Tips for this recipe
Here are some useful tips to perfectly prepare Tom Kha Gai and get the best results.
- Always use fresh ingredients for the best flavor
- Prepare all ingredients before starting to cook
- Monitor temperature during cooking to prevent burning
Variations of this recipe
Try these delicious variations of Tom Kha Gai to give a different touch to your preparation.
- Vegetarian version: substitute meat with plant proteins like tofu or legumes
- Spicy version: add chili peppers or spicy spices to taste
- Healthy version: reduce oil and increase vegetables
Frequently Asked Questions
This recipe has a Intermediate difficulty level, which means it's accessible for cooks of all levels.
The preparation time is 30 minutes and the cooking time is minutes.
This recipe is designed for 4 servings.
Yes, many ingredients can be substituted with similar alternatives. We recommend checking the recipe variations.
Store the preparation in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container. Some preparations can be frozen for up to 3 months.
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