Laotian Catfish Soup Recipes

LAOTIAN CATFISH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut the catfish fillets into strips about 1 inch long by 1/2 inch wide, place on a plate, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
• Sautè the garlic, chilies, lime leaves, lemongrass and shallots in the oil in a deep skillet over medium heat until very fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken broth or water, the lime juice and the galangal if you're using it and heat the mixture to a slow simmer.
• Whisk the peanut butter and 2 tablespoons of the coconut milk in a small bowl until blended and then whisk it into the garlic mixture. Stir in the fish and remaining coconut milk and simmer gently until the fish layers separate when prodded with a fork, about 2 minutes. Stir in fish sauce, basil and cilantro and simmer 2 minutes. Serve immediately, with rice if desired.

CATFISH SOUP

Steps:

• Bring the dashi to a simmer in a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the lemongrass, galangal, cilantro, habanero, fish sauce and lime juice and bring the liquid to a simmer. Add the catfish and the coconut milk and cook until the fish is just cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, ladle into soup bowls and serve immediately.

SALSIFY SOUP

Steps:

• In a 3-quart saucepan heat oil over medium heat and saute onions and leek slowly, without browning, until soft, about 20 minutes. Add salsify and celery and saute over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add stock and simmer, partly covered, until salsify is tender, about 50 minutes. Set aside.
• In batches, puree soup in a blender. Pour through a sieve into a saucepan and heat through. Season to taste. Ladle into bowls, floating a teaspoon of truffle oil on top.

CATFISH SOUP

Steps:

• In a saucepan, saute the onion, celery and garlic in oil for 3 minutes (some onion pieces will be lightly browned). Stir in the tomatoes, water, bay leaves, orange peel, parsley, salt, thyme, pepper and cayenne. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20 minutes., Stir in catfish; return to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 5 minutes or until fish is tender. Discard bay leaves and orange peel.