Tom Kha with Tofu — Coconut Galangal Soup

Tom kha is the gentler, creamier sibling of tom yum — a coconut milk soup perfumed with galangal,
lemongrass, and lime. Cubes of firm tofu absorb the aromatic broth and provide substance. This soup
is subtle, complex, and deeply comforting in a way that hits different from any Western soup.

FASTING LEVEL: Fast With Oil (coconut milk contains natural fat; for strict oil-free days, this dish is not recommended)

SERVINGS: 4
TIME: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 400 g extra-firm tofu, drained, pressed, and cut into 2 cm cubes
- 400 ml coconut milk
- 400 ml vegetable broth or water
- 5 cm piece of galangal, sliced into thin rounds (do not substitute ginger — they taste different)
- 3 stalks lemongrass, bottom third only, smashed and cut into 5 cm pieces
- 6 kaffir lime leaves, torn
- 200 g oyster mushrooms or straw mushrooms, torn into pieces
- 2 shallots, halved
- 3-5 bird's eye chilies, smashed
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon palm sugar or brown sugar
- Fresh cilantro, for serving

METHOD:
1. In a pot, combine vegetable broth, galangal, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, shallots, and chilies. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 10 minutes to infuse.
2. Add coconut milk and return to a gentle simmer. Do not boil vigorously or the coconut milk will separate.
3. Add tofu and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Remove from heat. Add lime juice, soy sauce, and palm sugar. Stir to dissolve.
5. Taste and balance: sour (lime), salty (soy), sweet (sugar), and hot (chilies) should all be present.
6. Ladle into bowls, including the aromatics (they are not eaten but add fragrance). Top with cilantro.

NOTES:
- Do not eat the galangal slices, lemongrass pieces, or kaffir lime leaves — they are flavoring agents, not vegetables.
- Galangal is essential and not interchangeable with ginger. It has a sharp, piney, almost medicinal flavor that defines tom kha.
- The four-flavor balance (sour, salty, sweet, hot) is the heart of Thai cooking. Adjust to your taste.
- Tofu provides about 17 g protein per serving in this dish.

NUTRITION (per serving, approximate):
Calories: 310 | Protein: 17 g | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Fat: 24 g | Fibre: 2 g