This recipe for Laksa Soup – A Malaysian Coconut Curry Soup will take you on a fun adventure to your local Asian market, perhaps introducing you to new ingredients and can be made authentically from scratch. Or if you prefer, I’ve included an easier “cheater version” as well. It’s actually simple to make, but requires a few ingredients that are not readily available at most grocery stores.
The flavorful base of the soup is called Laksa paste – basically lemongrass, chilies, shallots, galanga, turmeric, spices and dried shrimp all blended up in the food processor, then sauteed in a pot with a little oil to deepen the flavor. Into the same pot goes the chicken stock, the chicken, shrimp, tofu puffs (optional) fish balls (also optional) and coconut milk. After a quick simmer, it’s done. Ladle over fresh rice noodles, top with a handful of crunchy bean sprouts, fresh cilantro and mint, and serve with lime wedges, hot chili sauce and a sprinkling of crispy shallots. It’s a soup that takes you far, far away, and it has been a hit at home when the temperatures are cooler. It is a “fishy” tasting soup, so be warned if this is not your thing.