Weeknight dinner- Thai curry soup over rice

Honestly this is what an average weeknight dinner looks like at our house. Left overs, kids watching something on their phones and me moving about the kitchen before we head off to one of their activities. Or better yet, snuggled on the couch with a bowl of food watching the latest episode of the voice or Guys grocery games.

Chili for the boys and chicken red curry soup for the girls!

This is a look at this typical curry soup dish, I make it in so many variations. Choosing a protein; chicken, beef, pork, ground turkey, chick peas or a combo approach. Choosing the curry flavour; usually between red or green or a little of each. Choosing the add ins….

I usually start with chopped carrots and celery and sautéed those with a heaping tablespoon of curry paste (sometimes I add more garlic and ginger at this point) and cook the veggies until not quite fork tender. I add in my meat at this point trying to get a bit of colour on it. The fumes from the curry paste, at this point are burning my eyes and I must open the kitchen window!

I then add in two cans of coconut milk, one veggie bouillon or onion soup packet and about 8 cups of water. Couple of tablespoons of each; fish sauce, honey, soya sauce just to round out the flavour. Sometimes I even add a few tablespoons of peanut butter!  

I bulk up the soup with baby diced corn and water chestnuts, both which are a staple in my pantry. I simmer this for 30 minutes if I have time. About 10 minutes before we are ready to eat I throw quite a bit of chopped broccoli and or snow peas. If I’m making ahead, I leave the brocolli and snap peas blanched and ready on the side, I’ve learnt I don’t enjoy grey brocolli! 

As far as the veggies go in general, I’ve added peppers, diced cabbage, zucchini; you name it so many  options!

So there you have it; my famous curry soup. I serve this over perfectly cooked jasmine rice! For the kids, the spice can sometimes be a little much so I adjust their soup to rice ratio based on their taste!

Since most weekday dinners or a disaster for togetherness, you’ll be happy to know that mornings are our real family time. Given the work schedules and activities, we’ve adapted to creating space for us as a family to sit and share at breakfast. So I encourage you, it may not look like everyone else but it is still possible to create those moments. 

Note: this picture was on a luxurious Saturday morning!