Tom Kha Shrimp (Coconut Shrimp Soup)

Ingredients

• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 12 ounces sliced cremini or baby Bella mushrooms
• 1 Thai chili, serrano chili, or small jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 limes, divided
• 1 1/2 quarts chicken or vegetable broth
• 2-inch knob of fresh ginger, finely grated (about 2 Tablespoons)
• 3 Tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 Tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 3-inch pieces of lemongrass or 2 teaspoons lemongrass paste
• 1 14-ounce can coconut milk
• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and tails removed
• 1 cup fresh snow peas
• 1/3 cup fresh chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the coconut oil in a large soup...: Heat the coconut oil in a large soup pot (5-6 qt) over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, chili, & garlic. Cook for 3-4 minutes until the mushrooms soften a little.

2. 2

   Add the broth, zest and juice from 1...: Add the broth, zest and juice from 1 of the limes, ginger, fish sauce, honey, salt, & pepper.

3. 3

   Prep the lemongrass by laying it on a...: Prep the lemongrass by laying it on a cutting board. Place the flat side of your knife on the stalks and hit it firmly with the palm of your hand or fist, rotating the stalks a few times. You'll want them roughed up, but not torn apart. Add the stalks to the soup.

4. 4

   Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce...: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat to a low simmer for a minute or two.

5. 5

   Stir in the coconut milk and stir until...: Stir in the coconut milk and stir until any coconut cream clumps have smoothed out. When the soup has started to bubble again, add the shrimp, snow peas, and 1/3 cup cilantro.

6. 6

   Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp is...: Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp is just barely pink.

7. 7

   Remove the lemongrass stalks (or keep them in...: Remove the lemongrass stalks (or keep them in there to keep releasing flavor and ladle around them.

8. 8

   Cut the remaining lime into wedges. Serve the...: Cut the remaining lime into wedges. Serve the soup with a sprinkle of fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, a wedge of lime, and your favorite spicy Asian condiment (if you want :)).