Northern Thai Coconut-Curry Chicken Soup

 While the soup cooks, you set the table with a variety of options: crumbled hard-boiled
eggs, fish sauce, chopped cilantro, fried egg noodles, lime wedges, and chile flakes.

Serves 6

For the curry paste:

4 shallots, sliced
8 cloves garlic
2 kafir lime leaves
1 teaspoon whole coriander seeds
1 small bunch coriander stems
One 2-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
One 1-inch piece fresh turmeric, roughly chopped
1 teaspoon ground cayenne
2 green cardamon pods (or 1/2 teaspoon black whole cardamom)
2 teaspoons dried lemongrass, rehydrated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fish sauce

For the soup and assembly:

Canola oil, for frying
Two 15-ounce cans coconut milk
2 cups chicken broth
8 pieces chicken thighs or legs
1 teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
1 teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
1 teaspoon fish sauce, or to taste
1 package Chinese egg noodles
Chile flakes, to taste
6 lime wedges
3 to 5 hard-boiled eggs, as garnish
Chopped cilantro, as garnish
Thinly sliced raw shallots, as garnish

• Canola oil, for frying
• Two15-ounce cans coconut milk
• 2cups chicken broth
• 8pieces chicken thighs or legs
• 1teaspoon cayenne, or to taste
• 1teaspoon ground turmeric (optional)
• 1teaspoon fish sauce, or to taste
• 1package Chinese egg noodles
• Chile flakes, to taste
• 6lime wedges
• 3 to 5hard-boiled eggs, as garnish
• Chopped cilantro, as garnish
• Thinly sliced raw shallots, as garnish

1. In a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil, add in all of the curry paste ingredient, except the salt and fish sauce.
2. Wrap tightly into a square package about 6 inches-wide. Toast over a medium-high flame for 10 minutes. The packet will smoke a little bit—that’s okay!
3. Next, remove toasted aromatics, add the salt and fish sauce, and blend in a small food processor (I used the blender attachment of my immersion blender), until smooth, about 2 minutes. This is the curry paste base so make sure all the chunks are gone. Set aside.
4. In a large skillet over medium-high, heat 1 tablespoon of canola oil and add the curry paste mixture. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant. Add the coconut milk and chicken broth. Bring to a gentle simmer and add the chicken thighs or drumsticks.
5. Cook over medium heat for about 30 minutes. Add more cayenne, dried turmeric, and fish sauce depending on if you want it spicier or salter. Occasionally, rotate the chicken and ladle the broth over it to keep everything tender.
6. While the chicken is cooking, prep the garnishes: Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a straight-edged saucepan and fry a large handful of fresh egg noodles, it should only take about 10 seconds. Remove from oil and drain on a paper towel. Cook the remaining egg noodles to al dente.
7. Arrange the following toppings on a plate for self-serve: chile flakes, lime wedges, fried noodles, crumbled hardboiled eggs, chopped cilantro, and thinly-sliced raw shallots.
8. To assemble the dish, start with a small pile of egg noodles at the bottom of a large bowl. Pour in a few ladlefuls of soup broth and 1 piece of chicken. Repeat for each bowl, then garnish with toppings at the table.
9. http://food52.com/recipes/36886-khao-soi-northern-thai-coconut-curry-chicken-soup