This month’s international dish is super quick and easy and the flavors will have your family and friends convinced you are a gourmet chef! This is Laksa – a wonderfully spicy and creamy soup from Malaysia.
Is there anything better than warm soup on a chilly day? Simple, hearty and delicious, this dish is popular around the world. We’re going to take a culinary trip to Malaysia today so you can create this healthy, wholesome soup in your own kitchen. Homemade soup has a way of warming the soul while providing all the nourishment we need to be fuelled until the next meal. And soup doesn’t have to be an appetizer – it can be a meal in itself.
Many soups have been created using local and easy-to-find ingredients. Countries along the Mediterranean coastline in Europe all have their own version of fish soup. France has its bouillabaisse and bourride, Italy its cioppino and Greece its kakavia. Landlocked countries often use legumes to provide protein.
Soups with international flair include vegetables, proteins, seasonings and broth that make up the building blocks of good nutrition. Combining different flavours is also an easy way to introduce picky family members to new foods.
This soup is very easy to make and if you want to cut corners, use a rotisserie chicken. If you’re not a fan of shrimp, it can be made with chicken only. Even though these ingredients are all easy to find in your grocery store, the flavours will make you think you’re eating in an exotic locale!
Now don’t laugh but please don’t garnish it with oregano like I did! When I was shooting these pics, I had mint and cilantro ready to garnish and somehow ended up putting oregano on there! I didn’t notice it until I was eating it later and by that time I had taken all the photos, lol.
All you shrimp lovers will really enjoy this dish so be sure to take some pics and let me know what you think. If you look here, you will see two wonderful friends and readers who made my Healthy Cabbage Salad and sent in some pics from their Thanksgiving day. It was such a thrill and I have to say, their salad looks better than mine! lol. Thanks, Stephanie and Debbie 🙂
- 4 cups organic, low-sodium chicken stock
- 2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
- 3/4 lb chicken breast fillets, trimmed and cut into thin strips
- 1 1/2 oz Thai red curry paste
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1/2 lb brown rice vermicelli noodles
- 12 shrimp (size 21/25) cooked and peeled
- Garnishes
- 2 green onions, finely sliced on the diagonal
- 1 cup bean sprouts
- 2 tablespoons firmly packed fresh coriander, mint leaves or combination
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
- Sambal chili paste (optional)
- Pour stock in pan and bring to a boil.
- Heat oil in large saucepan, brown chicken in batches; reserve.
- Add curry paste to saucepan and cook for 1 minute over medium-high heat, stirring continuously until fragrant. Add stock and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Bring large pot of water to a boil. Crush noodles lightly with fingers and add to pot; stir to prevent noodles from sticking. Cook for 5-7 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Drain well.
- Divide noodles, shrimp and chicken among 4 bowls and pour hot soup over. Add garnishes and serve immediately.
35 Comments
Stephanie
December 2, 2014 at 12:36 pmYummy in my tummy! I’d love a bowl of this for lunch….wish I could just “pop” over 🙂 This one is going on my list of recipes to try – it looks truly amazing.
Have a wonderful week! Hugs being sent your way!
Stephanie recently posted…Christmas Mug Pin Cushion
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:40 pmI would gladly make this soup for you if you promise to share some of your crafting genius with me, Stephanie! Hope your week has been wonderful so far 🙂
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
Mindy
December 2, 2014 at 5:28 pmThere is no end to your creativity girl! This soup sounds so amazing – especially during this blast of cold weather around these parts. You make me laugh with your confession of using oregano – ha! yet another reason we love you : )
Mindy recently posted…This little light
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:41 pmLOL, Mindy! Can you believe I did that! You are too sweet! Thanks, friend!
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
cheri
December 2, 2014 at 6:19 pmHi Robyn, love everything about this dish, the spices, the coconut, the curry, everything!
cheri recently posted…Cottage Cooking Club November Two recipes
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:42 pmThanks so much, Cheri. It was so quick and easy I`m sure I`ll be making it a lot this winter.
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
GiGi Eats
December 3, 2014 at 12:26 amI truly truly truly miss shrimp!! I am not supposed to eat them, but I WANT THEM NOW BECA– USE OF THIS RECIPE! ha ha ah! I will risk it! 😉 or maybe….. 🙁 lol
GiGi Eats recently posted…Calorie-Free Punishment
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:44 pmOh, I didn`t realize shrimp was a no-no for you, GiGi! I have to warn you, I`m planning on cooking a lot of shrimp over the next two weeks! I`ll email you some salmon recipes instead, lol.
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
Thalia @ butter and brioche
December 3, 2014 at 4:24 amCan’t remember the last time that I made a laksa. You definitely have now inspired me to make your delicious recipe, Pinned!
Thalia @ butter and brioche recently posted…Golden Chocolate Mille Feuille
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:45 pmThanks so much, Thalia! And now I must visit your blog to discover exactly what Mille Feuille is!
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
Anita Rivera
December 3, 2014 at 5:40 amGood morning sweet Robyn! I am very late to dinner here for this luscious looking and colorful soup! We could use a good soup tonight here…it is probably really cold out there for you as well, but WOW is it freezing here!
The photos of this dish are so beautiful with the pure white bowl and lovely contrasting colors. You always pick the best and the brightest! I hope you are well sweet Robyn! I can’t believe how quickly December is already going by!!!
Much love! Anita
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 6:57 pmHi Anita,
I cannot believe how quickly it is going by either. Christmas will be here soon! And yes, it is absolutely freezing here, lol
Thanks so much for your kind comments, my friend. Things are great here – besides being cold, how are you!
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
Linda
December 3, 2014 at 1:00 pmHi Robyn, what a great soup combination. One of my favorite ingredients once again, shrimp. I know it must be so good. Love your beautiful photos. December is going so fast. I am having a difficult time getting motivated to decorate. I have started, but it’s a slow process. Dante has his surgery yesterday, so I am making sure he is resting/ Poor little guy. Have a fabulous day! Lots of love from W.W.
Linda recently posted…Blingy Xmas Inspiration
Robyn
December 3, 2014 at 7:00 pmI am having a hard time getting going too, Linda! It kind of snuck up on us this year!
Awwhh, poor little Dante. Do you think he’ll be settled down a little now? lol Talk to you soon, fabulous friend. xoxo
Robyn recently posted…Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken)
Jasline (Foodie Baker)
December 4, 2014 at 11:48 amHi Robyn! Glad to have known you through BAM’s Kitchen! Your version of laksa is different from the one I usually have here in Singapore, but still look delicious nonetheless!
Jasline (Foodie Baker) recently posted…Guest Post: Creamy Kimchi Pasta
Joy @ Joy Love Food
December 4, 2014 at 9:47 pmThis looks beautiful and sound delicious! I love coconut curry soups, pinning! Visiting from Wine’d Down Wednesday 🙂
Joy @ Joy Love Food recently posted…Dutch Sausage Rolls
Marla
December 5, 2014 at 11:31 amHi Robyn,
This soup sounds delicious. It would be great on a cold Winter’s day. Thanks for sharing on Real Food Fridays. Pinned & Twitted.
Marla recently posted…Real Food Fridays #66 – Real Food For A Healthier Happier World
Miz Helen
December 7, 2014 at 1:00 pmWhat a beautiful dish, Robyn and would be so delicious! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Miz Helen recently posted…Whats For Dinner Next Week 12-7-14
Maggie | Omnivore's Cookbook
December 8, 2014 at 1:58 amI love luksa a lot and made it once at home! I didn’t used Sambal chili paste last time but it’ll definitely make the dish taste better! I really love the version here, simple and full of flavor! It’s freezing cold here, and I need some hot soup every day! 🙂
Maggie | Omnivore’s Cookbook recently posted…Apple Pie Cookies
Jennifer @ The Jenny Evolution
December 8, 2014 at 8:30 amI recently started sharing recipes on The Jenny Evolution and thought it would be terrific to have a group on FB where we can share our recipes not just with other bloggers but with people who are searching out recipes. That said, I’m launching a Food Blogger group! If we work together we can make this a great outlet for all of us. If you’d like to join, visit me here https://www.facebook.com/groups/341455112700743/
To be approved post to the group, please follow the directions in the group description. Look forward to seeing you there!
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy
December 8, 2014 at 9:58 amRobyn – this soup is perfect timing!!! After a weekend of over-indulgence, I woke up wanting fresh and flavorful soups all week. I just feel like my body needs a little detox. Of course, being pregnant, I can’t do a real detox, but I think eating amazing healthy soups like this will do my body good. 🙂 🙂
Michelle @ Healthy Recipe Ecstasy recently posted…Dairy-Free Chicken Tetrazzini
Kimberly
December 8, 2014 at 1:17 pmThis looks so perfect! I wish I could take a bite right now! Pinned and tweeted. Thank you for being a part of our party. I hope to see you on tonight at 7 pm. It wouldn’t be a party without you!
Happy Monday! Lou Lou Girls
Kimberly recently posted…DIY Ornament Ideas by Reesa from Momma Lew!
Mary
December 8, 2014 at 6:14 pmHi Robyn, This looks sooo good. I love shrimp and curry. This is definitely going to make it’s way into my kitchen, I think I could O.D. on this! I’m featuring it this week.
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life
December 8, 2014 at 7:45 pmI love the flavor combination here…and soup is a staple here in the fall and winter! I can’t wait to try this one! Pinning and sharing…this is such an awesome recipe! Thanks for linking it up with us at Foodie Fridays!
Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life recently posted…Stuffed Chicken with Goat Cheese and Caramelized Onions
Margaret Anne @ Natural Chow
December 10, 2014 at 3:07 pmWow, this soup looks phenomenal, Robyn! Shrimp is my favorite food, so you can bet I’ll be making this one soon! Thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Margaret Anne @ Natural Chow recently posted…The Best Homemade Sweet Potato Pie
Nicky
December 10, 2014 at 11:29 pmThis looks delicious Robyn. Thank you for sharing it with us at the Let’s Get Real Link Party. You’re one of my featured bloggers this week. The party will go live Thursday at 5pm EST. I’d also like to invite you to our Let’s Get Real FB Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/604083256377973/
Nicky recently posted…Beef and Lentil Chili
Diane (@SimpleLivingEat)
December 11, 2014 at 8:49 amPinned, printed… ready to make. I look for recipes like this in the winter that wake up your taste buds. Thanks for sharing this with us on Weekend Bites.
Let's Get Real Link Party #69 - Little Family Adventure
December 11, 2014 at 4:01 pm[…] Simply Fresh Dinners for this Laksa (Coconut Curry Soup with Shrimp and Chicken) […]
Mary@Back to the Basics!
December 11, 2014 at 6:29 pmYUM! This is definitely simple and delicious. Thank you so much for sharing at Real Food Friday! Hope to see you again tonight!
Mary@Back to the Basics! recently posted…My Favorite Kitchen Gadgets
Kassandra Utzinger
January 2, 2015 at 5:58 pmhaha glad you explained the garnish story, I looked at the photos and was very confused. I would say this is more of a fusion dish rather than a classic Laksa but that doesn’t matter it still sounds delicious. Being from Australia Laksa is a very popular dish, Its what I had almost anytime I ate out, I do miss it very much.
Robyn
January 2, 2015 at 9:51 pmHi Kassandra,
I agree, it’s definitely a fusion dish. Each month I choose an international dish and try to make it healthy, quick and easy for my readers. I definitely take short cuts to do this but try to maintain the flavor while doing so.
Love your comment! Thanks so much for visiting!
Robyn recently posted…Shrimp Saganaki
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