September 17, 2012

Other People's Recipes: Thai Chicken Coconut Soup


I think I'm starting to see a pattern here.  Frequently, the recipes that I present under the "Other People's Recipes" label are things that I make because they are healthy.  I also like big, declarative flavors.  It isn't hard to get either of those things in a soup. Certainly not this Thai Chicken Coconut Soup that I've taken from an old copy of SELF magazine.
In addition to being both healthy (a mere 371 calories for a 1 1/2 cup serving) and boldly flavored, this soup is pretty easy.  Begin by soaking 6 oz. of cellophane noodles in warm water for fifteen minutes.  (Note:  if you are not planning on eating all of the soup in a single meal, only prepare 1 oz. of noodles per person, and prepare additional servings prior to eating the leftovers.)  Meanwhile, combine 8 cups of low-sodium chicken broth, 2 jalapenos (seeded and minced,) 4 cloves of minced garlic, 3 teaspoons of lemon zest, 1 1/2 teaspoons of lime zest, 1/4 cup of lemon or lime juice and four tablespoons of fish sauce in a large pot and bring the liquid to a simmer.
 Once your broth is simmering, drain the water from the cellophane noodles and add them to the pot for three minutes.  Then remove them to a bowl or other container and cover them with foil until the rest of the soup is ready.

Replace the noodles with 3/4 a pound of sliced shitake mushrooms: 
Cook for another three minutes, then add three chicken breasts (sliced into strips) and 1 1/2 cups of light coconut milk.  Cook yet another three minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. 
Add three cups of spinach and cook for an additional minute.  Meanwhile, divide the noodles evenly between six bowls.  
 Stir an additional two tablespoons of fish sauce into the soup, along with three tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro, then divide evenly among the bowls of noodles (about 1 1/2 cups of soup.)  Serve with lime wedges and sliced jalapenos on the side.   That's all.  Half an hour of work and you will be eating a restaurant quality soup that doesn't impose on your waistline.



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