Thai Shrimp Soup with Ginger and Coconut

Before I moved to England my exposure to good southeast Asian food had been woefully inadequate.  The Japanese and Thai restaurants that I visited around the UK made up for lost time, and here in Australia this type of cuisine is even more abundant.  The balance of flavors achieved by combining salty, spicy, sweet, and vinegary components is now something I really enjoy.  Our access to fresh seafood is also a catalyst for making southeast Asian-inspired meals on a weekly basis.

spicy red thai curry shrimp soup with ginger and coconut milk

This soup combines the strong flavors of fresh ginger and spicy red thai curry paste with a mild coconut milk.  Lime juice adds that perfect vinegary touch, and the noodles make it a filling dinner option.  You could easily substitute broken up fillets of fresh fish or even cooked rotisserie chicken for the shrimp, and also cooked white or brown rice for the noodles.  If you don't have fish sauce, substitute a tablespoon of soy sauce instead.

Requiring only one pot (and therefore minimal clean-up), this soup is perfect for a quick weeknight meal.  I made some when we had a friend from out of town dine with us a couple of weeks ago, serving it family style from a large soup tureen (heated in the oven before serving to keep the soup warm).  Everyone helped themselves to seconds, and it matched beautifully with a light pinot noir.  Enjoy!

Thai Shrimp Soup with Ginger and Coconut
Serves 4

4 cups reduced-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
12 oz flat rice noodles
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 red bell pepper, very finely diced
1 cup fresh green beans, washed and chopped into 2 inch pieces

1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions (white and green parts)

1 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and finely diced

1 teaspoon brown sugar
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1/2 to 1 teaspoon Thai red curry paste (to taste)

1 cup light coconut milk

1 cup fresh baby spinach, washed

2 cups (1 lb) large, peeled shrimp (fresh, or thawed if frozen)
2-4 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil (to taste)
juice from half a lime (about 2 tablespoons)
Green onion strips and additional lime wedges to garnish (optional)

In a large pot on medium-high heat, bring the chicken (or vegetable) broth, noodles, mushrooms, bell pepper, green beans, green onions, ginger, brown sugar, fish sauce, and red curry paste to a low boil.  Reduce heat to low-medium, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes.

Carefully pour in the coconut milk and add the spinach and peeled shrimp.  Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, until shrimp are pink.  Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil and lime juice.

Ladle into bowls and garnish with long, thin curls of green onion and a lime wedge.  Serve hot.