On 2004-10-20, Charles Gifford > wrote:
> After 6 months of no rain in Sandy Eggo, nature has decided to drown us.
> This is the third day of rain, cold (for San Diego) and wind. I'd like to
> dry out now. I decided something warm and cheering for dinner would be
> appropriate.

Yeah sure, you betchya!

I'm up here in the SFBA. Nice to see the rain, though we got off cheap with
an amazingly mild summer and indian summer. I haven't seen the like since
'82. But, you are spot on. It's time for soup! I kicked off soup season
with:

Tom Kha Gai (Chicken Coconut Soup):

I can of coconut milk (the real deal ...no bar mix!)
4 50¢ piece sized slices of ginger
1 stalk lemon grass sliced thinly on the diagonal
4 Kaffir lime leaves (if none, make split pea soup instead)*
8-12 oz of bone/skin-less chkn breasts
4 T nam pla (fish sauce)
1 T sugar (I will attest splenda works just fine)
1/4 C fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 C chopped cilantro
1-5 dried hot chilis (you KNOW what will work for you! Using chipotle is
punishable by death!!)

pan fry chicken breasts to half cooked and chop to bite sized pieces and set
aside. Put half coconut milk and all the rest of the stuff in a pan and
heat to simmer and let the stuff orgy for 5 mins. Add chicken and remaining
milk and bring to just boil or till chicken is fully cooked. Serve with
Singha or other pilsner beer.

*If you've no kaffir lime leaves, Buddha will forgive you for using pedestrian
lime zest.

enjoy =D
nb