Manager Jimmy Sayavong,
Vientiane
The ingredients may sound exotic and the flavours bright and complex, yet this soup is actually quite simple to prepare. Frozen lemon leaf and galanga (which resembles ginger and sold pre-sliced), tom yum mix and tamarind soup base can be found in Asian groceries.
Ingredients
1 tsp tamarind soup base
2 tsp tom yum soup mix
4 cups chicken broth
1″ piece of fresh lemongrass
1 loonie-sized piece of fresh galanga
1 lemon leaf
1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup broccoli florets
1/2 cup celery, sliced
1/4 cup cauliflower florets
1/4 cup red pepper, sliced
1 green onion, chopped
1 chicken breast, sliced
dried ground chiles
Method
1. In a large pot, bring chicken broth to a boil.
2. Add tamarind soup base and tom yum mix. Mix well.
3. Add lemongrass, galanga and lemon leaf and bring back to a boil.
4. Add chicken and simmer until cooked. Add broccoli, mushrooms, red pepper and cook until tender.
5. Add chiles to desired level of heat. Garnish with chopped green onions.
Yield 3-4 servings