I’m overwhelmed by all the Internet love! You all have made last week so much more bearable, and the healing over the sudden loss of Buster easier. I think the one most affected by Buster’s passing was Coco. There were times when we came home, and Coco would greet us and then immediately looked behind us to see if Buster was following.
Poor Coco – I know it will take time.
Last week called for comfort food and that means soup. We’ve been doing a lot of soups in the electric pressure cooker (just throw everything in a hit a few buttons) or the super-quick 20 minute on the stovetop soups. Basically, I like unfussy soups. What hit the spot last week was hot-spicy-tangy-savory Thai Hot and Sour Chicken Soup. This is the type of soup that Pavlov would love – the flavors are so distinct and powerful, that every time even just think about this soup, certain reactions that I cannot control begin happening. Mouth starts watering from the sharp lime, tip of tongue reacts to the slight sweetness of the fish sauce, and the warming of the throat from the slow, lingering effects of the steeped chile slices.
While the soup contains ingredients that are difficult to find outside of an Asian market – don’t worry. I have a simple substitution! The citrusy flavor of the soup comes from lemongrass and kaffir lime leaf. If you can’t find one or both, the peel of the lime will work just fine.
The ingredients are flexible – I’ve added shrimp, tofu and even spinach to the soup. Make it your own! This is a recipe that I’ve adapted from Katie Chin’s brand new Everyday Thai Cooking cookbook.
I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy (and loved the book so much that I wrote a little quote for the back cover!)
If you like Thai food as much as I do, you’ll love Katie’s Thai recipes that are designed for the home cook. Some of the recipes in the book:
- Steamed Mussels in Lemongrass and Basil
- Chang Mai Chicken Lettuce Cups
- Chicken with Cashews and Thai Chilies
- Grilled Halibut in Mango Coconut Sauce
- Spicy Peanut Noodles
- Thai Garlicky Eggplant
- Pad Thai
Thai Hot and Sour Chicken Soup Recipe Video
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Thai Hot and Sour Chicken Soup
Ingredients
- 3 cups chicken stock
- 4 slices fresh ginger
- 4 kaffir lime leaves, torn (substitute with lime peel)
- 2 stalks lemongrass, cut into 2" lengths and bruised (substitute with lime peel)
- 1 fresh hot chile pepper, sliced (I used 2 large slices)
- 1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cherry tomato (or 1 whole tomato, cut into wedges)
- 1 15-oz can straw mushrooms (or handful fresh sliced mushrooms)
- 3 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1 lime, squeezed (about 2 tablespoons lime juice)
- fresh cilantro leaves
Instructions
- In a pot, add the chicken stock, ginger, kaffir lime, lemongrass and chile slices. Bring to a simmer, cover, and then turn the heat to low. Let simmer for 10 minutes. Strain out and discard the spent herbs. (You can taste the soup at this point, if you would like it more spicy, keep the chile pepper slices in the stock and discard just before serving.)
- Add in the chicken pieces, cherry tomato and mushrooms. Bring back to a simmer on medium heat and then cook for an additional 5 minutes.
- Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice and cilantro leaves.
Did you try this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comment section! I always appreciate your feedback and I know other readers do, too!
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I have tried variety of soup but never tried Thai hot and shor chicken soup. It is looking yummy in your pics. I would definitely try this one.
I am always keen to try out a variety of soup recipes. Of course I will try this recipe very interesting, hopefully I can practice it properly.
Woow, this is really yummy. we want to try this at our home. thanks for sharing this awesome recipes.
this my love is kuliner 🙂
Always interested in making Thai Tom Yum soup. This looks like a great recipe. Thank you for sharing!
I am so worry to hear about Buster. I still miss my first dog who passed away 14 years ago. I hope your kids are adjusting well and that Coco gets over it soon.
Thanks for this one Jaden, I really like this soup. I just cannot develop a liking for coconut milk so I am always happy to find a Thai recipe that doesn’t use it.
Thanks for putting this on utube. Feel that I could give this delicious soup a try now. Made me hungry just watching it.
Wow! That looks good and yuuuummmy! I’ll try to cook this. By the way, what is the national food of Thailand? I have found this competition that I think some of you might be interested in! They are looking for people that can cook the national dishes of their country and you can win an iPad mini or money. I knew that you already have that =) ‘coz you’re an award winning food blogger (hope I can be like you) but you can join or posts about it. Everyone can join. Here’s the link:
https://www.facebook.com/IngredientMatcher
http://www.slideshare.net/IngredientMatcher/competition-from-ingredient-matcher-cook-your-national-dish-25773568
Woow, this is really yummy. we want to try this at our home. thanks for sharing this awesome recipes.
Christina Morales
http://indonesiancuisinerecipes.com
So comforting!! I love any soups that’s spicy and sour 🙂
That soup looks so good! I always enjoy a nice bowl of Thai hot and sour soup!
Poor Coco I lived in Tampa for many years both of my dogs were Florida dogs and one, like Coco, hated thunder storms.
I used to put her dog bed in the bathtub during the daily afternoon thunder she seemed to feel safer there.
I would also recommend the Bach’s rescue remedy – I have used it for years
a friend of mine who works in dog rescue puts a few drops of valerian extract in their water when she knows a storm is coming 🙂
I would like the option to either email or copy a recipe. I don’t see any opportunity to do either on your site.
I feel that eliminates many of us from opening your posts. And may cause some to just sign out in futility.
Marilyn
Click on the printer icon and you will get a “friendly” version you can copy or save to your hard drive
Have you tried Bach’s Rescue Remedy for Coco. It helps some dogs w anxiety in thunderstorms. Any questions please email me.
I do sorry about Buster. I am going talk about this disease in my blog. So sorry for your loss. I have 2 Newfoundlands and am deveststed when anything happens to my dogs.
Deb
Is the chicken already cooked or raw?
How timely! My husband and I were having a craving for this soup last night! It’s raining today. This will be perfect.
Wow ..yummy