Tom Kha Gai: Thai Coconut Chicken Soup

Tom Kha Gai is another well-known Thai soup, besides Tom Yum Goong, that is served in every Thai restaurants, in Thailand or any part of the world. The unique flavor of this dish comes from the main ingredients of galanga and coconut milk - that create the mild, rich, and creamy taste - with the perfect balance of sweet, sour, and spicy combination from lime juice and chili peppers.

You will need:

• 1 C coconut milk
• 1 1/2 water (or chicken stock)
• 1 stalk of lemongrass, cut into 2" pieces and crushed with clever
• 6-8 thin slices of Galanga, crushed (preferably fresh, otherwise frozen)
• 1 C bite-size pieces of chicken
• 1 C mushroom, thinly sliced
• 3-4 fresh (or frozen) Kaffir lime leaves, TORN in half
• 3-4 fresh chili peppers, crushed
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 1/4 C chopped cilantro

Galanga (also known as Galangal. Laos Root, and Thai or Siamese Ginger) - or "Kha" in Thai - is the main herb flavor that gives this rich and aromatic soup its fame. If fresh galanga is not available, frozen galanga will work great for this dish. I've seen many recipes suggest using ginger as a substitute. Believe me, it's completely different soup you would make there! Ginger doesn't have distinct peppery and lemony flavors galanga has. ... So, for me -- if there is no galanga, there is no Tom Kha Gai soup. Anyway, if you find galanga root at Oriental market, it can be stored in freezer really well; just slice into pieces and put then in zip-lock bag. Same thing can be done with lemongrass as well; just cut into 2" pieces before freezing them. In the meantime, dried galanga might be found easier, but I don't recommend using it as it doesn't give as good flavor as fresh or frozen ones.

Directions:

1. In a sauce pan, combine coconut milk, water, galanga, and lemongrass, then bring to a boil.
2. Add chicken, fish sauce, salt, and sugar. Reduce heat to medium-high.
3. Once chicken is cooked, about 2-3 minutes, stir in mushroom, chili peppers, and kaffir lime leaves.
4. About another 2-3 minutes until mushroom is cooked and the flavors are all married, then turn off the heat. Stir in lime juice, green onion, and cilantro. Serve immediately.

Note:

• Some recipes call for adding "Nam Prik Pao" (or Thai Roasted Chili Paste) to the soup. It is optional. The chili paste adds some color and spices up the dish.
• For a vegetarian version, medium or firm tofu is a good substitute for chicken.
• Remember, you can always adjust the flavor to your preference. Fish sauce and lime juice are the main seasonings you can add more or reduce.
• Just like most Thai dishes, this soup is not a separate course, but one of the many dishes that are on the dinner table, to be eaten with jasmine rice.

Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe

Well.., I finally got to downtown DeWitt, and had my first Sweetie-licious Pie experience! Thanks to my friend, Jill, who kept telling me of how I would have loved this award-winning pie pantry where her family has been a big fan! .. I actually had heard all the great things about the place; just that I never made it there. This lovely vintage-style bakery offers variety of delicious pies and baked goods, made from fresh and quality ingredients - no fillers or preservatives are ever added.

All of Sweetie-licious' pies are completely homemade with hand-rolled crusts and at least six-cups of real fruit. How can you not love that? I am such a pie person -- I bake pies, I eat pies, and I definitely love GOOD pies.. All of us each had a slice of Cherry Berry Berry pie. I am not quite sure how to put into words of how I love that slice of heaven.. Look at the photos, it was so gorgeous and brilliant! It was bursting with the tart sweetness balanced against a crumbly crust.

Cherry Berry Berry Pie

Raspberry Custard Cream Pie

The interior of Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe is absolutely charming. The shop has the cutest color combination of pink and green. The decor includes some vintage furnishings and cabinet, as well as adorable collectibles -- giving it a homey feel.

Sweetie-licious Bakery Cafe has been recognized as one of the top pie makers in the country. So far, they have won 2009, 2008, and 2007 Crisco National pie Championship 1st place awards. In addition to that, they won $5,000 Best of Show prize on the Food Network's Pie Challenge, in 2009 for Tom’s Cheery Cherry Cherry Berry Pie. In 2008, their Key Lime Raspberry Pie won 1st place on the Food Network Pie Challenge.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to meet in person with the famous Linda Hundt, owner of Sweetie-licious. Linda is known for her 50s-style dresses and aprons, her pearl necklaces and her pearls of "pie wisdom" including her mantra "Eat Pie, Love Life"! ... However, her sweet and friendly staffs were just wonderful! They made sure of great services and warm welcome for the customers..

Two of Sweetie-licious pies are featured in the September issue of Midwest Living magazine.

It was a very beautiful day -- to visit the town of DeWitt (without soccer event involved), to also get together with my fellow soccer moms and the boys, ... and to have great pies. I will definitely be back!

Thanks for your hospitality, DeWitt families :)

Sweetie-licious Pie Pantry:
108 N. Bridge St.
Dewitt, MI 48820
(517) 669-9300

Weekend Desserts

Going to a little get-together on Sunday...,

I made some brownies for the teenagers.

And I also...

made a key lime pie for the adults.

....
....

There was a bonfire,
and of course..
S'mores.