Recipe: Thai Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup

Serves 6.

Note: Thai roasted chile paste can be found in most grocery stores' Asian foods sections. If you can't find it, you can leave it out or substitute with Chinese chile paste with garlic or just add a minced serrano to taste. Fish sauce also can be found in the Asian food section of supermarkets.

• 6 oz. dried flat rice noodles

• 6 c. low-sodium chicken stock

• 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger root, cut into 12 slices

• 2 large stalks of lemongrass, halved crosswise and cut into 2-in. pieces

• 1 (13.5 oz) cans unsweetened light coconut milk

• 1 c. carrots, cut into matchsticks

• 3 c. shredded cooked chicken (rotisserie is fine)

• 3 c. baby spinach

• 1/4 c. lime juice• 2 tbsp. light brown sugar• 2 1/2 tbsp. fish sauce (see Note)

Directions

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the chicken stock with the ginger and lemongrass. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes. Add coconut milk and chile paste, if using, and cook for another 5 minutes. Strain the broth and discard the ginger and lemongrass.

Return the broth to the pot and bring back to a simmer. Add the carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Then add the chicken and spinach. Cook for another few minutes or until the spinach is just wilted. Add the lime juice, brown sugar and fish sauce.

Divide the noodles among 6 large heated serving bowls. Ladle the soup over the noodles and serve hot.

Nutrition information per serving:

Calories349Fat11 gSodium944 mgSaturated fat5 g

Protein27 gCholesterol60 mgDietary fiber2 g