Spicy Thai Peanut Soup

This is a delightful soup with peanut butter, be sure the only ingredient is peanuts, flavorful ginger and curry paste. I served this with vegetable eggrolls on the side (no eggs were in the ingredients). This is  a wonderful Soup.

• 1 (10 1/2 ounce) package silken tofu
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 5 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
• 1/3 cup natural peanut butter, (I had chunky)
• 3 scallions, sliced
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 3 drops lemongrass essential oil
• 2 tablespoons red curry paste
• 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 (8 ounce) container baby bella mushrooms, sliced thick
• 1 1/2 cups carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 can bamboo shoots, drained
• 3/4 cup coconut milk (in a can)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
• Noodles (I used Millet & Brown Rice Ramen from Lotus Foods) I cooked 2 blocks

Dry your tofu, be careful it breaks easy. Slice into small cubes and sprinkle with garlic powder. Place in refrigerator.

In a large bowl, whisk the bouillon, lime juice, lime zest and peanut butter. Set aside.

In a large Dutch oven, heat a few tablespoons of water and saute the scallions, ginger and lemongrass oil. Don't let this burn, add more water if needed. You just want the veggies to soften.

Add the red curry paste and soy sauce. Cook for a minute.

Add the carrots and mushrooms. Add the lid. Cook for 5-6 minutes, the mushrooms will release their liquid, stirring occasionally.

Add the coconut milk, bay leaves, thyme and stir. 

Add the vegetable broth mixture that you set aside earlier. Add tofu from the frig and the bamboo shoots. Stir and bring to a boil. Once boiling reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

While the soup simmers cook your noodles according to the package directions. Once ready, drain.

Add a serving of noodles to a bowl and ladle the soup over the noodles. 

You can garnish with peanuts, hot sauce, cilantro, whatever  you feel like.

Note: Store leftovers in separate containers so the noodles don't soak up all that liquid.
Enjoy!!