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The forecast promised just a few more inches and we thought it would be a fun day for a cross-country ski adventure. Someone (at the weather channel) was a wee bit off though, because ............ it snowed ALL day and most of the night! We chose Morillon, a neighboring village down the valley, for our skiing excursion and the snow created a powdery-soft, ever-thickening blanket for our path.
It was as if we were in a mystical wonderland. Although the pictures might look like black and white photos, that's exactly how our world appeared that day; pristine, silent, unspoiled forests, hills, dales and mountains ........ all formally dressed in pure white with only sketches of branches and tree trunks peeking out here and there. Occasionally we'd, unknowingly, startle a family of birds secretly camouflaged and nestled in gnarly old trees; we'd hear only a quiet flutter of wings as hundreds of them danced though the air above us - it was as if there was a "silence rule" in the forest on snowy days.
We made it to Morrillon (about a 4 mile trek) quite famished and found a charming little café where we enjoyed devoured a lovely traditional French lunch. We weren't sure what we were ordering as the menu was, as expected, completely in French. We thought, at first, that the waiter spoke some English but when I asked him to interpret the menu for us, he simply went through it very slowly and distinctly, reading each item, in French! I guess he thought if he spoke slowly and clearly enough we'd be able to understand - we didn't pass the test but took a stab in the dark - we came out winning with a delicious lunch!
By the time we arrived back home it was late in the afternoon - with the lovely white stuff still falling. I think the total snowfall was at least 6-8 inches. Daddy and the girlies (our two older granddaughters) had made a huge snowman and greeted us with a pelting of surprise snowballs from behind the fence.
Being outside most of the day awakened hearty appetites for all of us and this Coconut Curry Chicken Soup hit the spot and was the perfect prescription for a simple yet delicious dinner. It's loaded with fabulous, healthy veggies and is easily adapted - if you don't have or can't find the vegetables called for, just substitute what's available and fresh. If you prefer shrimp rather than the chicken, it would be equally delicious. Or leave out the meat all together - the broth is so flavorful, you won't even miss it!
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 med onion
1 medium shallot
8 ounces carrots , sliced on an angle into ¼ inch wide slices
¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon ginger
1 tablespoon lemongrass paste*
2-3 tablespoons red curry paste , available in the Asian section at most larger grocers
2 teaspoon mild curry powder
2 tablespoons brown sugar
32 ounces chicken broth
6 ounces small yellow potatoes, sliced in half lengthwise, then sliced widthwise into bite size pieces
2 ounces rice noodles or rice sticks, available in the Asian section at most larger grocers
2 15-ounce cans coconut milk, I almost always use the light variety
1-2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
1 tablespoon lime juice
½ med red bell pepper, quartered lengthwise and then sliced crosswise
½ med yellow bell pepper, halved lengthwise then sliced crosswise
2-3 heads baby bok choy, root end trimmed about ½ inch, then thinly sliced, lengthwise
1 ½ cups tiny frozen peas
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, frozen for 30 minutes then sliced thinly into bite-size pieces
fresh basil
fresh cilantro
Directions:
1. Heat oil till shimmering in a large pot or dutch oven then add onion, carrots and shallot, cook 3-4 minutes until beginning to soften. Add ginger and lemongrass, curry paste, curry powder, brown sugar and cilantro. Cook another minute or until fragrant.
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, then add potatoes. Simmer another 10 minutes or until carrots and potatoes are very tender.
3. Add rice noodles (break them up before adding if they're long) and simmer five more minutes.
4. Add coconut milk and return to a simmer. Immediately** add chicken, baby bok choy, peppers, peas, cover and turn off burner. Let sit, covered for 5 minutes. The chicken will cook during this rest time but will remain tender and velvety - if you add the chicken earlier it will cook too long and become tough. Serve with jasmine rice and a sprinkle of fresh basil and cilantro for garnish. I also love to garnish with diced avocado.
Notes:
* You can use an equal amount of fresh, finely chopped lemongrass in lieu of the lemongrass paste but I like to keep this condiment on hand as most of my local grocers don't carry fresh lemongrass. This paste is becoming quite easy to find - I've noticed they're even carrying it in the produce section at Super Walmart.)
** Coconut milk will separate and lose it's lovely consistency if boiled or simmered very long.
Chris Scheuer says
Hi Jenn, this serves 6-8 generously. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
Jenn A says
How many servings does this make? It looks delicious!
andersonclan(at)mac(dot)com
Kim - Liv Life says
I see that's not a current date, but wow!! Look at that snow!!! Such a different world from me here in San Diego. The soup though?? Now that would be a hit all the way around! Love the coconut curry combo!
Anonymous says
Made this tonight and it was fantastic! Thanks for sharing.
Kim says
This curry is perfect after wintertime activities! It's perfect!
Manju says
Fabulous post...the soup looks so colorful and tasty, and ur pics of the snow and snowman etc r so good! 🙂
bellini says
It sounds like a wonderful way to spend a day, a week, a year.
The Café Sucré Farine says
Hi Cindy! thanks for visiting The Café - I use the curry paste and powder as I like a lot of curry taste but not a ton of heat. If you use all curry paste it gets a bit hot but if you just use curry powder, often it's too mild so I find combining the two ends up being perfect - great question, thanks for asking ~ Chis
Ginny says
Your snow pictures are beautiful!! And they do look black and white, but there is some blue in the later pictures, as well. The restaurant is so cool looking, I love the little hearts cut into the backs of the chairs! And that is not a snowman, it is a snow giant!!! Wow, what a good job!!! The soup looks delicious and I am so glad you are having so much fun!!! We are to get about six inches of snow today, too!
Cindy says
Carol (Always Thyme to Cook) just linked this on a food forum. It looks and sounds absolutely delicious. With so many veggies I think I'll skip the chicken.
Curious why you used both curry paste and curry powder?
I recently tried the basil in a tube and went back for the lemongrass. What a great idea!
Cathy at Wives with Knives says
What wonderful photos! I'm not a cross country skier but it sure would be tempting in such a beautiful setting. Love all the flavors in your coconut curry soup and am happy to know that lemongrass is available in a tube. This way I will have it when I need it.
amy free says
Not only is this soup beautiful, but I'm marveling at the fact that you and Scott trekked 8 miles together! Now that is something to be celebrated, wow!
Sophiesfoodiefiles says
Indeed, I agree with Hotly spiced: The pictures are so lovely & fabulous looking!
There is a lot of snow! 🙂
Your tasty chicken curry & coconut soup with the added rice is a meal on its own! Tasty too! 🙂
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
What a wonderful way to spend the day! I love that people think if they speak slowly you can understand them!
Your curry soup looks like a wonderful way to end the day.
Hotly Spiced says
Those photos look absolutely beautiful. It truly is a winter wonderland. It's something I would like to experience but haven't. And after a day in the snow I don't think there would be a better dinner than an inviting and nutritious spicy curry - excellent comfort food!
Allison says
What a winter wonderland! Love the photos, love the story, love the recipe! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing.
Karen (Back Road Journal) says
What a wonderful time you are having. The curry looks delicious and warming. I'm surprised that you could get all of those ingredients in the mountains of France in the winter.
France@beyondthepeel says
I get more jealous with every post. What an amazing vacation you're having. The food you are eating seems to match the trip. Amazing.
Pacheco Patty says
Thanks for sharing the photos from your trip. Your coconut curry soup is beautiful and looks like the perfect comfort food on a cold snowy night;-)
Carol @ Always Thyme to Cook says
Perfect timing, I just bought a jar of red curry paste after having a red curry chicken dish at dinner out the other night. Saving this recipe and hope to get to it, it looks fantastic. Perfect for your beautiful winter wonderland!
The Café Sucré Farine says
Thanks Jen, you are so sweet - I wish lived nearby I'd love to fix lunch for you!
Susan says
Beautiful looking soup. I am amazed you could find all those ingredients where you are.
Lenia says
It seems you are having a really great time!Your pictures are fantastic,dear!And the soup ideal for this kind of weather!Kisses from sunny Greece!
Jen @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I want you to cook for me everyday! I love your meals! You haven't posted a dish I wouldn't like. The soup looks wonderful! I love coconut!
beti says
those are lovely colors and it does look perfect for a snowy day