Recipe - Thai Chile
Thai Hot and Sour Soup
Ingredients:
| 4 | tbs | canola oil |
| 2 | cups | shiitake mushroom caps - sliced 1/8" thick |
| salt | ||
| 1/2 | cup | fresh ginger - finely julienned |
| 1 | large onion - roughly chopped | |
| 4 | thai chiles - stemmed | |
| 3 | stalks | lemongrass (white parts only) - thinly sliced |
| 1/4 | cup | thai fish sauce (nam pla) |
| 8 | cups | chicken stock |
| 6 | kaffir lime leaves | |
| 1 | star anise | |
| 1 | cup | enoki mushrooms |
| 3/4 | cup | rice wine vinegar |
| 1/2 | cup | thai or sweet basil - shredded |
| 1 | tsp | white pepper - freshly ground |
Procedure:
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tbsp of oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil shimmers, add the shiitake mushrooms and saute, stirring, until soft, about 6 minutes. Season with the salt to taste, remove, and set aside.
Return the same skillet to the stove over medium heat. Add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil and swirl to coat the pan. When the oil shimmers, add the ginger, onion, chiles, and lemongrass and saute, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 6 minutes.
Stir in the fish sauce, then add the chicken stock, lime leaves, and star anise. Cook over medium heat until the liquid is reduced by one-fourth, about 20 minutes. Strain, return to the skillet, and add the reserved shiitakes, the enoki mushrooms, vinegar, basil and white pepper. Taste and correct seasonings. Keep hot.
