2 stalks lemon grass, lower ½ only, trimmed into 1 inch pieces, slightly crushed
5 fresh kaffir lime leaves, torn in half
1 whole chicken breast, boned, skinned and sliced into bite size pieces
4-5 white mushrooms, thinly sliced
4 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons sugar
¼-1/2 cup lime juice (to taste)
1 teaspoon, red curry paste
2 green Thai chilies, chopped
¼ cup cilantro leaves
Instructions
Combine one can of coconut milk with the galangal, lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves in a large stockpot and bring to a boil. * Add chicken, fish sauce and sugar and cook (stirring occasionally) until chicken is cooked throughout. Stir in the other can of coconut milk and curry paste and heat until boiling. Remove from heat, and add lime juice and chilies a little at a time, tasting it as you go. You don’t want it too spicy or too sour. Adjust seasoning, adding more sugar or fish sauce, to get that perfect balance of salt, sweet, hot and sour. You can heat this before serving and plate it individually or in a tureen or soup pot. Garnish with the cilantro leaves just before serving.
*If you are going to strain the soup add both cans of the coconut milk and simmer gently for about 20 minutes before straining and adding the remaining ingredients.
Recipe by Have You Eaten, SF? at https://haveyoueatensf.com/tom-ka-gai/