In my opinion, curry and noodle soups are good any time of year. You can absolutely find me sweating over a steaming bowl of pho in 90+ degree weather. I mean, that’s what the locals do. Curry and Noodle soups like Pho and Tom Yum originate in tropical climates, like Vietnam and Thailand, and they are staples of their diets year round. Why? Because they’re so unbelievably nourishing,healthy, easy and inexpensive to make!
Here’s a picture of me slurping down the best bowl of noodle soup(I think it was Bun Bo Hue) I have ever had in a small alley in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam:
This Curry Noodle Soup is not nearly as good as the one above, but it is damn good AND easy to make.
Veggie Curry Noodle Soup
Serves: 4 , Cook time: ~45 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp coconut oil
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 knob ginger, minced
- 1 jalapeno, chopped
- 2 tbsp Thai Kitchen Roasted Red Pepper Chili Paste
- 1 small bunch of Bok Choy, stems separated from the leaves
- 1 large sweet potato, or Japanese yam, diced
- 8 oz thin rice noodles
- 5 cups veggie broth
- 1 can culinary coconut milk
- 1 tbsp Thai Kitchen Fish Sauce
- To taste: Pepper, Cayenne, and/or Turmeric
- Toppings (optional): sliced red onion, fresh lime, cilantro or basil
Directions: Heat a large stock bot with the oil, add shallot, garlic, ginger, jalapeño, and chili paste.
Cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.
Add bok choy stems (save the leafy greens for the end), sweet potato, veggie broth, and coconut milk.
Cook 8-10 minutes until potato is cooked.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil and cook the rice noodles.
Rice noodles cook much quicker than traditional pasta, they will only need to be cooked about 2-3 minutes. Once cooked, remove, drain and set aside. Once the potatoes are cooked add fish sauce and additional spices to taste.
I like a spicier soup so I add a generous amount of cayenne and turmeric. Let the aromas intoxicate you and fill your kitchen for another 5 minutes or so while the flavors combine, then dish out the rice noodles in deep bowls first, ladle the soup on top of the noodles, add toppings and enjoy!
Health in Bloom 