June 11, 2012

Thai Chicken and Dumplings

I am a proud dog person.  After years and years of begging, we got our english springer spaniel Monty (he needed an english name) as a puppy when I was 10 years old.  When I was about to go off to college, we got him a golden retriever companion named Bailey.  Because Monty never shed and Bailey was like a ball of loose hair,  I quickly discovered that I was allergic to dog dander.  Unfortunately, Bailey is no longer with us but we did pick up another shed-prone golden from the SPCA named Brody.  Because I was the only one who would discipline Brody the first night we brought him home I am his "pack leader" (and FAVORITE).  When I am home, he is my shadow and climbs me like a jungle gym.  As much as I love my Brody bonding time, I usually forget to take allergy medicine and end up with no voice by the end of the weekend.


The last time I went home was no exception.  Brody slept right next to me and the next day I developed the tell-tale sore throat.  Five days later and I was still sans voice!  So despite the warm weather, I knew needed something spicy and comforting to help me get back to fighting form.  Enter thai chicken and dumplings, a cross between the coconut and lemongrass soup Tom Kha and traditional chicken and dumplings.


I started the soup with sliced red onions, minced garlic and ginger, green curry paste, and lemongrass paste.  A can of coconut milk and some homemade chicken stock are added and then a simple (buttermilk) drop dumpling batter is poached in the spicy soup.  Topped with thai basil, mint, and a squeeze of fresh lime, it is the perfect way to get over a cold or a sore throat!


And here are the obligatory photos of Monty and Brody:

 





Thai Chicken and Dumplings
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
3 teaspoons minced garlic
2 teaspoons minced ginger
1 tablespoon green curry paste
1 1/2 teaspoon lemongrass paste
1 13.5 oz can of coconut milk
4 cups of chicken stock
juice of 1/2 a lime
2 teaspoons agave nectar
handful of leftover chicken
dumplings (recipe below)
salt and pepper to taste
thai basil, mint, and lime wedges to garnish

Dumplings
1 cup flour
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
scant 1/2 cup of buttermilk
1 egg


Begin the soup by sauteing the onions on medium heat in olive oil until they start to caramelize.  Add the ginger and garlic and saute for another 2-3 minutes.


Then add the green curry paste and the lemon grass paste.  Let this cook for 2-3 minutes.


Next, add the liquids: coconut milk, chicken stock, and lime juice.  Season with salt and pepper and add the agave nectar to balance the spice of the green curry.


Bring the soup to a boil and then lower so it is simmering.  While the soup simmers, prepare the dumplings.  Begin by whisking the dry ingredients: flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, and coriander.  In a separate bowl, whisk the egg into the buttermilk.


Using a spatula, fold the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients gently until the batter resembles something just thicker than cake batter.


Bring the soup back to a boil.  Add your left over chicken (I used leftover legs and thighs from breaking down a chicken and baked them bone-in with salt and pepper and olive oil for about 30 minutes at 350 F)


Drop in your dumplings, about a tablespoon of the dough, and let poach in the boiling soup for 10-15 minutes, covered.


The soup will be thickened and delectable at this point!  Serve up a few dumplings with a sprinkling of thai basil and mint and a lime wedge.  Enjoy!


3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the add on foodbuzz. Instead of leaving a message there, I thought I might just stop by and say HI over here.
    The soup looks comforting and delicious. I would certainly love one for the lunch with a few slices of homemade bread. Life is good.
    Ciao,
    Angie

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awww....those little doggies are so cute! And this soup looks marvellous...it looks like it's time consuming to prepare but totally worth it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love the fusion of different flavors. I love me some thai soup and some dumplings, this looks so amazing! I always thought I was a cat person, but have definitely become a dog person over the past 10 years. Pets are so delightful!

    ReplyDelete

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