Tom Kha Gai Spicy Coconut Soup

There are few pleasures in this world that compare to a bowl of Thai coconut soup. Creamy yet spicy, with a touch of lime juice, this soup has a unique flavor more exotic than any weeknight dinner has the right to be. The tofu needs to be baked the night before serving, so plan ahead.

MAKES 4 SERVINGS

$2.55 PER SERVING

Ingredients for Tom Kha Gai Spicy Coconut Soup recipe

1 (16-ounce) package extra-firm tofu, drained
2 tablespoons sesame oil
3 cups vegan chicken broth or vegetable broth
1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk
2 teaspoons ginger paste
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 white mushrooms, sliced
Juice of 1 lime
3 tablespoons soy sauce or Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
⅔ cup frozen peas
½ red bell pepper, sliced
1 jalapeño, seeded and sliced
1 lime, cut into wedges
⅓ cup fresh cilantro leaves

How to make Tom Kha Gai Spicy Coconut Soup ?

Preheat the oven to 400ºF.

Brush the tofu with the sesame oil and place it in a baking dish. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the tofu is a light golden brown, flip it with a spatula and bake for another 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, cover, and refrigerate overnight.

Fifteen minutes before serving, in a large soup pot or Dutch oven, whisk together the broth, coconut milk, ginger paste, garlic, mushrooms, lime juice, soy sauce, peas, and bell pepper and bring to a boil over medium heat. Use a wooden spoon to stir the soup occasionally. Once it begins to bubble, reduce the heat to maintain a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Give it a taste, then add jalapeño slices a few at a time until you like the heat and flavor. We recommend stopping at four slices, but you might like it hotter.

While the soup is cooking, cut the tofu into 8 to 10 pieces

Serve the soup hot, with a lime wedge, 2 to 3 pieces of tofu, and some fresh cilantro on top.

You can use the other half of your red bell pepper to make:

Pan-Seared Corn and Quinoa Salad

Sesame Peanut Noodles

Greek Garbanzo Bean Salad Pitas

Groove Is in the Artichoke Heart Salad

You can use the rest of your bottle of sesame oil to make:

Thai Vegan Chicken Slaw

Tofu Spring Rolls with Agave Chili Sauce

Tofu, Green Beans, and Cashews

Sesame Miso Kale Chips

Tom Kha Gai Spicy Coconut Soup