Active Time

　　45 min

　　Total Time

　　1 1/2 hr (not including making stock)

　　This Thai-inspired soup has many layers in its complexity, but the overall effect is of cleanness and freshness. An optional addition of jasmine rice makes a heartier meal. The soup, without chicken, diced tomatoes, snow peas, and basil, can be made 3 days ahead and chilled (covered once cool).

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 to 6 (main course) servings

　　2 fresh lemongrass stalks, root end trimmed and 1 or 2 outer layers discarded

　　2 large shallots, thinly sliced

　　2 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced

　　2 tablespoons vegetable oil

　　2 quart rich and flavorful chicken stock or 5 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

　　1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes in juice, drained, reserving juice

　　2 ounces tamarind from a pliable block (a 2-inch cube), chopped

　　3 tablespoon fish sauce

　　2 (2-inch-long) fresh Thai chiles, thinly sliced

　　2 fresh or frozen makrut lime leaves

　　1 (2-inch) piece peeled ginger, thinly sliced

　　1 pound skinless boneless chicken breast

　　1/4 pound snow peas, sliced 1/4 inch thick

　　1/3 cup packed basil leaves (preferably Thai)

　　Accompaniment: cooked jasmine rice

　　

Step 1

Cut off and discard top of lemongrass, leaving 6-inch stalks, then finely chop. Cook lemongrass, shallots, and garlic in oil in a large heavy pot over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until well browned, 12 to 15 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Add stock, reserved tomato juice, tamarind, fish sauce, chiles, lime leaves, and ginger and simmer, uncovered, 30 minutes.

　　

Step 3

While soup simmers, freeze chicken breast just until slightly firm, 20 to 30 minutes, then thinly slice crosswise.

　　

Step 4

Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large saucepan, pressing hard on and then discarding solids. Return to a simmer and stir in chicken, diced tomatoes, snow peas, and basil. Gently simmer just until chicken is cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with additional fish sauce and salt.

　　Cooks' Note

　　Editor’s note: As part of our archive repair project, this recipe headnote and ingredients have been updated to remove an offensive word for makrut lime.