Best Ever Tom Kha Gai - Thai Coconut Soup

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 onion sliced
• 2 garlic cloves chopped
• 1/2 red jalapeno pepper sliced, or a couple Thai chiles, halved
• 3 quarter-inch slices slices galangal or ginger
• 1 lemongrass stalk pounded with the side of a knife and cut into 2-inch long pieces
• 2 teaspoons red Thai curry paste
• 4 cups chicken broth see Note 1 if vegan or on Whole30
• 4 cups canned coconut cream or coconut milk
• 2 medium chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces, see Note 2 for vegan/vegetarian or to use shrimp
• 8 oz. white mushroom caps sliced
• 1-2 Tbsp. coconut sugar if on Whole30, see Note 3
• 1 1/2 - 2 Tbsp. fish sauce plus more to taste, see Note 4 if on Whole30 or vegan
• 2-3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 2-3 green onions sliced thin
• fresh cilantro chopped, for garnish

Instructions

1. In a medium pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, chile, galangal or ginger, lemongrass, and red curry paste and cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes, or until onions are softened. 
2. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Reduce head and simmer uncovered for 30 minutes.
3. Add in coconut cream or milk, chicken breast (or tofu or shrimp), and mushrooms. Simmer until chicken breast pieces are just cooked through, then add fish sauce, coconut aminos, and lime juice, plus more of each to taste. 
4. Cook 2 minutes, then ladle into serving bowls and top with sliced green onions and fresh cilantro.