Laotian Catfish Soup Recipes

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.

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.

HOT AND SOUR CATFISH SOUP

Steps:

• Cut catfish into large chunks (2 bites per piece).
• Place in dutch oven and add all ingredients from Scallions to Lemon Juice.
• Stir mixture to coat fish and let marinade for 10-15 minutes.
• Cook fish and marinade mixture over medium heat for 5-7 minutes.
• Stir mixture and cook 2 minutes more.
• Add chicken broth and bring to a boil.
• Boil 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
• Lower heat to simmer and add celery, sprouts, cumin and cilantro.
• Simmer for 3-5 minutes.
• Spoon fish soup over rice if desired, and enjoy.

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.

LAOTIAN FISH SOUP (KANG SOM PA)

Steps:

• In a soup pot, bring water to a boil with lemon grass (or lemon rind) and salt; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add fish and fish sauce and return to a boil.
• Reduce heat again and add tomatoes and simmer gently, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard lemon grass (lemon rind) and add spring onions and cilantro. Stir in lemon juice to taste.
• More fish sauce can be added also, if desired.
• Serve hot.