Tom Kha Soup (Coconut-Lemongrass)

INGREDIENTS:

• Light olive oil
• 2 tbsp. fresh ginger paste
• 2 tsp. red curry paste
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 3 tbsp. fish sauce
• 2 tbsp. brown sugar
• 3 13.5-ounce cans coconut milk
• 1 stalk lemongrass
• 1 pound shiitake mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 red onion, sliced thinly
• 2 lbs. medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, tails off
• 3/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Rice, to serve soup over

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a large pot on medium heat, saute the ginger paste, lemongrass, and curry paste in a little light olive oil.
2. Once the spices are heated, stir in chicken broth, fish sauce, and brown sugar and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. Add the coconut milk, red onions, and mushrooms. Cook until the mushrooms are soft.
4. Mix in the shrimp and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the shrimp curl up into c-shapes and are no longer translucent.
5. Finish with the lime juice, fresh basil, and salt and pepper.
6. Serve over rice.