TOM KHA KAI:
Thai Chicken-Coconut Soup

This is the best soup, actually this is my favorite soup!!! It's so easy to prepare. In my short 23 years I have been to Thailand more than 25 times, and have become addicted to Thai and Indian food. But I must warn everyone, when making this soup prepare for your mouth to water...it is so hot!!! If you know any cool exotic soup or dish recipes please post a comment!!1 Would love to try something new!!!

1 x 14 oz. can coconut milk

3 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup finely sliced galangal (ginger may be substituted)

1 cup bite-size pieces of boneless chicken breast

1/2 cup straw mushrooms (or sliced button mushrooms)

1-1/2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce

2 teaspoons Thai chili paste

1/2 cup cilantro leaves

Serrano chilies, sliced (optional)

Combine chicken broth, coconut milk and galangal in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and stir for 1 minute. Add chicken meat and stir for 1 minute. Add mushrooms, lemon juice, sugar, fish sauce and chili paste and stir for 1 minute. Pour into individual soup bowls and top each with cilantro leaves. For a hotter experience, top with sliced serranos. Yum!