Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 onion small, minced
  • 1 tablespoon minced ginger
  • 1 tablespoon lemon grass minced, I use the squeeze tubes found in the produce section
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce depending on preferred heat Vietnamese, more for serving
  • 3/4 pound chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces, vegetarian option - use portabella mushrooms
  • 3 tablespoons curry powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 14 ounces unsweetened coconut milk
  • 4 cups chicken stock
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 2 tablespoons fish sauce
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 9 ounces asian noodles udon, soba, or vermicelli will work
  • salt to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 scallions cut into thin rings
  • 2 shallots thinly sliced and deep fried in vegetable oil until brown, optional
  • 2 limes quartered for serving, the limes make the soup - don't do without them!

Method

  • In a medium pot, heat oil over medium heat.
  • Add onion, ginger and lemon grass. Cook about 10 minutes, until softened. If starting to brown, turn down the heat.
  • Add garlic and chili paste, stir until fragrant - about 1 minute.
  • Turn the heat up to medium high and add the chicken. Saute for 1 minute.
  • Add curry powder and paprika and stir to coat the chicken (or mushrooms).
  • Add coconut milk, chicken stock, turmeric, fish sauce and sugar. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes.
  • While the chicken cooks, start the noodles following the package instructions. Rinse, drain and set aside.
  • Taste the broth and adjust seasonings with salt.
  • Divide noodles into large soup bowls. (store noodles separately for leftovers)
  • When ready to serve, ladle hot broth over noodles.
  • Top with cilantro, scallions and fried shallots.
  • Serve with a squeeze of lime and additional chili paste.