Soup 12 - Tom Ka Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup)
Since the start of my soup challenge I have been looking forward to making a version of Tom Ka Gai soup. It is one of my favorite soups to eat. I love the blend of flavors from the lemongrass, ginger, lime, and fish sauce.
After a lot of searching, I based my attempt on a recipe at: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/tom-kha-gai-chicken-coconut-soup. I did not have makrut lime leaves so I substituted a Tom Yum Sauce I bought at whole foods that included them. Alternatives were to use lime zest and lime juice, or just lime zest.
While I always have chicken broth, chicken, fish sauce, and coconut milk on hand I had to stop at a Whole Foods Store to get lemongrass, and makrut lime leaves (which they did not have.)
The sauce I bought tasted and smelled wonderful and it really made the soup taste authentic.
Make sure to read your instructions carefully. I read a variety of recipes and I missed the important part that I needed to strain the lemongrass and ginger out before I added the chicken. I was able to handpick it all out but it certainly took way too much time.
If I was giving this particular version of Tom Ka soup a star rathing, this recipe would get a five star rating. It lacked depth and the lemongrass component was just too mild - it was missing the subtle and not so subtle flavors of lemongrass and lime leaves.
I will definitely try another version of Tom Kha Gai! I need to get myself to the Buford Farmers Market because I am sure I can get the lime leaves there! If you have a great recipe for Tom Kha soup send it my way!
My soup rankings so far - It's getting harder and harder to order them!
#1 Broccoli Cheddar Soup
#2 Chicken and Wild Rice Soup (I made it again and it was SOOO good!)
#3 Polish Dill Pickle Soup
#4 Cream of Vegetable Soup (Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Soup
#5 Mulligatawny (Soup Nazi Copycat recipe)
#6 Shrimp Ramen
#7 Cream of Mushroom
#8 Cabbage Roll Soup (I made this twice it was soooo good!)
#9 Texas Chili (still Tim's favorite)
#10 Tom Ka Gai
#11 Italian Sausage Soup
#12 Simple Lentil Soup