Sunday, February 3, 2013

surin's thai coconut soup

Do you know Surin?  It is a Thai restaurant that started in Birmingham but I am pretty sure they have some in Atlanta now too.  I always loved their coconut soup and have been stockpiling various recipes through the years in hopes of being able to replicate it.  Of course, I had never gotten around to it when I stumbled upon this recipe claiming to be Surin's.  This one I had to try.  


The ingredients: chicken broth, coconut milk, straw mushrooms, lemongrass, garlic, lime, ginger, Thai red curry paste, cilantro, fish sauce and scallions.  I did ask for some help from our chefs at work.  They said to definitely use fish sauce and not substitute soy sauce.  They helped me procure that and the lemongrass.  I went to a local Asian market for the ginger, mushrooms, red curry paste and coconut milk.  That was an experience for sure but very cool!


The broth.  You start by mincing the lemongrass, ginger and garlic and sauteing until aromatic.  Add the red curry paste and stir until well-blended.  I just split the difference and used 2.5 teaspoons of the paste.  Start with 1/2 cup of the broth and stir until the paste is dissolved.  Then add the remaining broth, the fish sauce and sugar.  Let this simmer for about 20 minutes.

Per the chef's advice, I strained it before adding the coconut milk to remove all the woody lemongrass.  In fact, I probably could have done without mincing that since I removed it anyway.


The soup.  After straining, I added the coconut milk, drained and rinsed straw mushrooms and lime juice.  I used shrimp instead of chicken so I added those last and cooked just until pink.  


I also made a quick stir-fry with peas, carrots, bean sprouts and almonds.  


And, I love Publix's sushi.  On my shopping nights, I usually pick this up so I don't have to cook.  This is the crunchy spicy shrimp roll with brown rice.  Yummy!


The final plating.  I garnished the soup with cilantro and scallions.  

The soup was amazing and pretty much identical to Surin's.  I will say it may have been a little creamier.  So, I may leave out some of the coconut milk next go-round.  Also, it is VERY high in fat (see the nutritional information if you dare) and very filling.  If you are going to make it, do so on a day when you haven't eaten much else.  Ha.  


Brad caught me in action.  He had to have his handiwork included on the blog.  :)

My apron is from Garden & Gun.  Part of my Christmas was their 'Sideboard' program.  You get 8 packages throughout the year with the first being an apron, kitchen towels and recipes.  The remaining 7 will be regional food items.  They arrive every 6-8 weeks and I am so pumped to get my first one!    


Thai tea.  I have no idea what's in it but it is amazing.  Tastes like a milkshake.  Mmmmm.


The soup got a thumbs-up from the boys.  Totally unsolicited of course.  


Levi's dog, Loki, is the cuddliest, most lovable animal.  I was stuffed after dinner but he kept coming over to snuggle.  I couldn't say no to this precious thing.  

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