Khao Soi is a rich and flavorful Thai noodle soup with a coconut milk and curry base. It's typically made with chicken or tofu and is garnished with a variety of toppings. A step-by-step guide on how to make Khao Soi:
Ingredients:
For the Khao Soi Paste:
- 3-4 dried red chilies, soaked in hot water
- 2 shallots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, peeled
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced
- 1-inch piece of fresh turmeric, peeled and sliced (or 1 teaspoon ground turmeric)
- 1 lemongrass stalk, white part only, sliced
- 1 teaspoon shrimp paste (optional)
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
For the Soup:
- 200g egg noodles or rice noodles
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 400ml (1 can) coconut milk
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 200g tofu (or chicken for a non-vegetarian version)
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- Salt, to taste
Toppings (Optional):
- Fresh lime wedges
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced red onions
- Pickled mustard greens
- Chili oil
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Khao Soi Paste:
- In a blender or food processor, combine all the ingredients for the Khao Soi paste. Blend until you have a smooth paste. Set it aside.
2. Cook the Noodles:
- Cook the egg or rice noodles according to the package instructions. Drain and set them aside.
3. Fry the Tofu (or Chicken):
- If using tofu, cut it into cubes. If using chicken, slice it into thin strips.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the tofu or chicken and cook until it's browned and cooked through. Remove it from the pot and set it aside.
4. Make the Soup:
- In the same pot, add the Khao Soi paste and sauté it until it's fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the coconut milk and vegetable broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the tofu (or chicken).
- Stir in the soy sauce and sugar. Taste the soup and add salt as needed.
5. Serve:
- To serve, divide the cooked noodles among serving bowls.
- Ladle the hot Khao Soi soup over the noodles.
- Top each bowl with lime wedges, chopped cilantro, sliced red onions, and pickled mustard greens.
- Optionally, drizzle some chili oil for extra heat.
Khao Soi is a wonderfully aromatic and creamy Thai soup, known for its complex flavors. It's a delightful combination of spices, coconut milk, and fresh toppings. Enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish.