Tom Kha Gai Recipe 

Tom Kha Gai, also known as Thai coconut chicken soup, is a flavorful and aromatic soup that combines the richness of coconut milk with the tanginess of lemongrass and the unique flavors of Thai herbs. 

Here are the ingredients you'll need for this delicious soup:

Ingredients

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (you can use chicken breast with some modifications)

Chicken broth or unsalted chicken stock (homemade is preferable)

Coconut milk

Lemongrass

Galangal (an essential ingredient that cannot be substituted)

Makrut lime leaves 

Thai chilies (adjust the amount according to your spice preference)

Oyster mushrooms or any other Asian mushroom variety

Fish sauce

Palm sugar or light brown sugar

Cilantro or green onions for garnish

Fresh lime juice

Here's a step-by-step overview of how to make Tom Kha Gai:

1. In a pot, bring the chicken stock or broth to a boil and add a pinch of salt.

2. Add the boneless, skinless chicken thighs to the pot and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fork-tender.

3. coconut milk and stir well.

4. Add the lemongrass, galangal, makrut lime leaves, and Thai chilies to the pot. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the flavors.

5. Stir in the fish sauce and palm sugar, and bring the soup back to a boil.

6. Add the oyster mushrooms to the pot and cook them for about a minute.

7. Turn off the heat and squeeze in some fresh lime juice to enhance the tanginess.

8. Your Tom Kha Gai soup is now ready to be served. Garnish with cilantro or green onions for added freshness and aroma.

Vegan Adaptability:

If you prefer a vegan version of this soup, here are some simple modifications you can make:

Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Homemade vegetable broth is recommended for the best flavor.

Replace the chicken with a mix of Asian mushrooms such as oyster, shimeji, fresh shiitake, or maitake. Alternatively, you can use tofu as a substitute.

Consider adding some halved cherry tomatoes to add variety and extra umami to the soup.

Substitute fish sauce with soy sauce.

By making these adaptations, you can enjoy a vegan-friendly version of the Tom Kha Gai soup that is equally satisfying and delicious.