Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com

 
Tom Kha is one of my all-time favorite flavor combos, so I decided to create a version that is almost identical in taste, but uses ingredients that are a little bit easier to find, then threw it into the slow-cooker to make my life way easier!

This recipe has some loosey-goosey elements to it. The first portion of ingredients (that make up the liquid portion or ‘sauce’) should be used each time, but WHAT you cook in it is up to you! I have done a vegetarian version, added carrots and celery when I had it on hand… and I am planning on trying out a fish or shrimp version too (I’ll let you know how it goes!). I also plan on trying it in the pressure cooker which would cook this particular dish in about 10-20 minutes!!! Crazy. (If you have one and try it out before I do, Lmk how it turns out!)

 Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com
For the sauce:
1 medium-large onion chopped
2 garlic cloves smashed and roughly chopped
3-6 thai chillies minced as fine as humanly possible, or if you have a mortar and pestle turn into paste (3 is mild heat, 6 is strong heat, can sub in jalapeño if difficult to find, use half the amount)
1 Tbs Lemongrass (I used my famous short-cut: pre-grated fresh tubes)
2 Tbs ginger (I used my famous short-cut: pre-grated fresh tubes)
1 tsp salt
2 tbs soy sauce (start with one and add a second if needed when tasting at the end)
2 Tbs honey
1 tsp fish sauce (most, if not all, markets carry this stuff now)
1 cup chicken (or veg) stock
2 cans regular whole coconut milk (not light) 
1/3 cup fresh cilantro
zest of 1 lime
juice of two juicy limes (use three limes if they are a bit dry)
Pick about 4 from the following (a great combo to start with is the first 3-4 ingredients listed):
1.5 heaping cups potatoes cut into large bite-sized pieces (use a red or light-skinned variety and leave the skin on)
1 red bell pepper chopped and 1 green bell pepper chopped
1.5 lbs of raw chicken cut into large bite-sized pieces
1 cup sliced mushrooms
2 stalks of celery chopped
2 carrots chopped 
1 cup of chopped cauliflower
Garnish:
lime wedges
fresh cilantro sprigs
Sriracha
 

Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com

Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com

Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com

 
Instructions:
Throw it all in a crock pot and set on low for 6-7 hours and High for 3-4. Serve plain or over rice (cauliflower rice is our go-to!) Garnish with lime wedges, cilantro sprigs, and Sriracha!

Tom Kha *Inspired Slow Cooker Stew // laurenariza.com