John Darrow's Thai Lemon Ginger Fudge Chicken Soup

I threw together these ingredients last night without thinking about measuring. I also used 2 serranos and, man, that was insanely hot, but it was wonderfully delicious. Tonight, I wanted to try it again and write down amounts and tweak the flavors. I tried 1 serrano, and it was still too hot, but still very yummy. So here's what I propose for "just right." Enjoy!

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Serves 4. Side dish: fresh fruit topped with (fruit) yogurt. Peach ice
cream afterward is pretty nice, too.

== Prepare the ingredients

4 c water
1 T garlic salt
juice of 1/2 lime (or whole lime if you like it more sour)
1 T fresh minced ginger
1/2 small serrano pepper, minced (wash your fingers thoroughly after messing with serrano..or, if you prefer, rub your eyes so you more readily appreciate my advice next time)
3 boneless chicken thighs, cut in 1/2" strips (not too long to fit in your mouth)
2 T lemon pepper seasoning salt (McCormick)
1 T dried basil
2 to 3 cups brown mushrooms, sliced thick (in 3)
1-1/2 T butter
oil
8 pieces of fudge
1/2 can of coconut milk (after first shaking the can for a while to mix)
enough uncooked green beans or sugar snap peas for a typical side dish for two people
1 package Top Ramen shrimp flavor, broken up while still in its package
2 medium tomatoes, cut in eighths
1 large handful of cilantro, coarsely chopped

== Start the soup base

In a 3 qt saucepan, add the water, garlic salt, lime juice, ginger and serrano. Bring to a boil.

== Start the chicken

Heat a skillet to quite hot, pour a 2" circle of oil and immediately pour in the whole pile of chicken pieces (to minimize hot splatters). (Don't clean the bowl--you will be using it for the chicken again shortly.) Spread the pieces out evenly and let them sear on one side (get some good color there!). Then flip the pieces over to lightly cook them. Goal: leave the middles uncooked. They will cook more later. Transfer the chicken back to the bowl.

== Cook the mushrooms

Put all of the mushrooms in the hot skillet. Let them soften and darken. Then mix in the butter and let it darken again. Then mix in all the chicken and drippings and take the skillet off of the heat.

== Continue the soup base

Add the coconut milk, the ramen and the contents of the spice packet that came with the ramen. If you are using green beans, stir them in now (don't add any sugar snap peas at this time). Return to boil. When the green beans are nearly done, you're ready for the next step.

== Set places and call everyone to the table

Mix the chicken and mushrooms into the soup base. If you are using sugar snap peas, stir them in now. Stir in the tomatoes. Mix in the cilantro. Serve.

Enjoy the fudge.

Copyright © 2006 John Darrow