Description
Coconut lime fish soup brings tropical Caribbean flavors to your kitchen with fresh seafood and aromatic herbs. Delicate fish simmers in creamy coconut broth, delivering a light yet satisfying meal perfect for warm evenings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) white fish fillets (cod, snapper, or halibut), cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 can (14 oz/400 ml) coconut milk
- 2 cups (480 ml) fish stock or chicken broth
- 2 tbsps fish sauce
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, minced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 12 red chilies, sliced (optional, for heat)
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh cilantro and basil, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Aromatic Initiation: Heat vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat, sautéing onions until translucent and softened.
- Flavor Layering: Introduce garlic, ginger, and red chilies, stirring to release their intense aromatics and create a fragrant base.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour coconut milk and fish stock into the pot, incorporating fish sauce, lime zest, lime juice, and sugar to build a complex, vibrant broth.
- Vegetable Integration: Add red bell peppers and cherry tomatoes, allowing them to simmer and meld their flavors into the developing soup for 5-7 minutes.
- Protein Poaching: Gently immerse fish pieces into the simmering broth, cooking until they become delicately flaked and perfectly tender without losing moisture.
- Flavor Refinement: Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, or additional lime juice to balance and elevate the soup’s overall taste profile.
- Garnish and Serve: Ladle soup into serving bowls, garnishing with fresh cilantro and basil, and accompany with lime wedges for a personalized finishing touch.
Notes
- Preserve Fish Texture: Poach fish gently to maintain delicate, flaky consistency without overcooking, which can make the fish tough and dry.
- Balance Spice Levels: Adjust red chili quantity based on personal heat tolerance, removing seeds for milder flavor or adding more for extra kick.
- Enhance Soup Depth: Build rich flavor layers by letting aromatics like ginger, garlic, and chilies sauté fully before adding liquid ingredients.
- Customize Dietary Needs: Swap fish stock with vegetable broth for vegetarian version, use tofu instead of fish, or select gluten-free fish sauce for alternative dietary requirements.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 12 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg