Quick and easy Thai curry coconut soup recipe with tofu and vegetables
Every Monday at lunch time, my husband Ted surprises his office staff with soup I made on the weekend. I can't remember exactly when this Monday soup ritual began, but I love it, because I am a Sunday soup maker, a big pot soup maker, and always cook far more than the two of us need. Inspired by whatever is in the pantry, and leftovers from the weekend's cooking, I begin tossing ingredients into the stock pot. Most often, there's no plan; in this case, I knew at the outset that I wanted to make a quick and easy spicy Thai curry coconut soup. With tofu in the refrigerator, the decision to go meatless was a no-brainer. Leftover chicken or turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken, would be a fine addition. Both coconut milk and tofu stand ready to absorb any flavors from the surrounding soup, so make sure you use enough fragrant Thai green curry paste, fresh lime and cilantro. (I like the Maesri and Mae Ploy brands of curry paste, which are all-natural.) This dairy-free soup will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator, in a container with a tight-fitting lid.
Thai curry coconut soup with tofu and vegetables
From the pantry, you'll need: coconut milk, green curry paste, fish sauce, lime, brown sugar, red pepper flakes.
Serves 3-4.
Ingredients
2 tsp Thai green curry paste (storebought or homemade)
1/2 cup extra-firm diced tofu, drained
1/4 cup finely diced zucchini
1/4 cup finely diced red bell pepper
2 scallions, finely sliced
13.5-oz can coconut milk
Pinch of mild red pepper flakes
1 tsp fish sauce (or soy sauce, for vegetarian/vegan)
1/2 tsp brown sugar
Juice of 1/2 lime
2 Tbsp roughly chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish
Directions
In a 3-quart saucepan, heat the curry paste over medium heat for 1 minute, stirring occasionally. Add the tofu, zucchini, bell pepper and scallions, and mix together with the curry paste.
Pour in the coconut milk and remaining ingredients. When you see bubbling around the edges of the pan, lower the heat to simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
Serve hot, garnished with additional cilantro leaves.
More quick and easy Asian-inspired soup recipes:
Quick and easy hot and sour soup with tofu, shiitake mushrooms and noodles, from Soup Chick
Quick and easy Chinese dumpling soup, from Soup Chick
Moroccan coconut and chick pea soup, from Gluten-free Goddess
Coconut-lime turkey (or chicken) and rice soup, from Kalyn's Kitchen
Coconut green curry mussels, from Sassy Radish
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I love this soup tradition, and I love the sound of this soup.
Kalyn, it's a great way for me to experiment with new soup ideas, knowing that I have a willing panel of taste-testers. I'm really enjoying it.
As you know I am a big fan of Thai curry pastes - so easy to whip together a delicious soup - this would be perfect for my lunch today!
Lydia,
What a terrific way to indulge in your desire to play with new soup recipes without the consequence of endless containers of leftover soup to deal with.
I've got a hankering for a Thai soup, and the jars of galangal and lemongrass in the fridge to play with, and this soup looks so pretty. Thanks!
(psst--if it's every Monday, it's probably not a surprise!)
I love Thai curry pastes and love this post! One of my favorite uses for curry is, it helps near-instantly when you've got an iffy stomach.And this would be perfect in My restaurant for lunch time.