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Friday, December 28, 2012

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

I am often asked where I find my recipes. I really don't have the time nor the desire to create a recipe from the ground up. That takes plenty of work, there are test kitchens that do that sort of thing for a living. So how do I proceed? I find a recipe--in a cookbook, magazine, on a cooking show, on a blog etc, etc. There are so many recipes floating around. So I find a recipe that looks like something we might like. I make it once exactly as written. If it's good I make it a second time and give it my own spin. Take away ingredients, change quantities, reduce recipe size to fit our smaller family, etc,etc. Then if it is delicious I will photo it and blog about it. Now I have made many recipes that were said to be winners that just didn't work for me. These did not make it to my blog. Really only the best of the best recipes go on my blog.

This may explain occasional lulls in my posting. If I make a few bad dishes (or it's a busy week and we really just eat omelets),  I refuse to blog about them just to blog. My blog is for my family and friends, I'm not getting paid. I blog because I love to cook, eat and share this passion.  I have made many dear friends along the way.

I hope you enjoy my recipes--I will always credit my source, in turn I hope you will do the same. I love your comments, a comment always makes my day!  Let me know if you make something you find on the blog and how you liked it. I welcome questions--I will do my best to find an answer.  I am also open to requests, send me your favorite recipe - I'd love to try it.

Thanks, Cindy

Now here is what you really came for... a recipe!

Here is the perfect winter soup, served with sticky rice it is delicious. I've made it several times and many people have enjoyed it. It's a 30 minute dish inspired by a recipe in Cooks Country--a great little/big magazine. Here is our revised recipe:

Thai Coconut Chicken Soup
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
3 scallions, white parts minced, greens sliced on the diagonal
4 tablespoons minced cilantro
1 tablespoon red curry paste
1 1/2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 can low sodium chicken broth
1 can coconut milk
1 pound boneless skinless chicken tenders, cut down the center of the tenders, lengthwise and slice in 1/4 slices
1 sweet potato, peeled, quartered and sliced in 1/4 inch slices
1/2 red pepper sliced
 1 large lime--juiced
Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium high heat until shimmering.
Add scallion whites, 2 tablespoons of the cilantro and curry paste. Cook until fragrant about one minute. Stir in one teaspoon of the fish sauce, chicken broth and coconut milk. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.
Increase heat to medium high, add chicken, sweet potato and red pepper. Cook until chicken is no longer pink and potato is tender, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and pour in a serving bowl. Add remaining 1/2 teaspoon fish sauce, lime juice, green onion tops and rest of cilantro.
Pour soup over a bowl full of sticky rice and enjoy!

Some have questioned my 30 minute meals? They really can be done in 30 minutes if you have a bit of prep done or if you have a sous chef! I like to chop veggies in the morning so at dinner time I really can pull off a 30 minute meal.

But if you have to run to the storage room several time to get needed items, thaw meat, chop veggies etc. 30 might be stretching it. But preparation pays off big time when getting dinner on the table. Good luck. Practice, practice, practice. Cooking is a skill that can be perfected. But I do love to chop veggies!!

16 comments:

Nedra said...

this looks so good! I want to run out and buy the ingredients right now!

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Oh, Cindy, your soup looks marvelous! I've made a couple of Thai soups, but I'm long overdue to try a new recipe...and yours looks perfect! Happy New Year, my friend!

Grandma Scott said...

I haven't been keeping up with your blog regularly, but I came back and immediately was hungry. You find the best recipies and I always want to cook after. I must try the coconut soup first.
The popcorn will be next.
Love you !

Anonymous said...

Oh Cindy!! thanks for posting this wonderful recipe - it sounds fabulous - we just love soup around here and this is going to be a hit!!
Mary x

Unknown said...

I've been wanting to try a recipe like this. I love that this one has coconut milk. Hope you had a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for the new year!

Amber said...

Yum! We love coconut soup here, they are especially quick to throw together, add a pot of steamed jasmine rice and it's a filling meal. Miss you!

Unknown said...

Would love to do this:) Sounds yum!

Hopping by and following your GFC and Pinterest.

Blogging @ Getting Healthy with Essential Oils

I am also inviting you to join Tiddle Diddle Handmade Shoppe's first giveaway event.

Heidi said...

I have never tried anything like that. You make me want to try Thai food! Thanks for linking up at One Creative Weekend! Enjoy your weekend.

Julie said...

This looks fantastic! I'm always up for trying new soups. I have most of the ingredients needed for this on hand. I'll have to give this a try. Thanks for sharing on Marvelous Mondays. I will be featuring this on my blog at tonight's party.

Have a great Sunday!

Julie

Carol said...

I made this for dinner tonight and loved it! I like the flavor that the sweet potato adds in this Thai soup.

Carol said...
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Anonymous said...
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Julie said...

Just wanted to let you know that I made a variation of your soup last night. I didn't have all of the needed ingredients (red curry paste, sweet potato, cilantro) but I made some substitutions. It was SO GOOD! My boyfriend and I both really liked it! I will be sharing my version on my blog sometime soon so I hope you will stop by and see what I did different to it. Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful recipe.

Julie said...

PS, this is Julie from This Gal Cooks. :)

Six Foot Redhead said...

I haven't tried this yet, but I will SOON!I've always used Leah Hallam's version of this soup and it's delicious, but this one has some additional spins -- can't wait! PS -- I love your photos almost as much as I love your recipes!

Crystal said...

You are one of my go-tos for good recipes. There is no time for bad ones. Many of my favorite dishes I know I can find on everyday insanity! Thank you!