Categories: Chicken, Soups, Thai 
      Yield: 6 servings 
  
      2    Lemon grass stalk 
      3 T  Siamese ginger; sliced 
      4    Garlic cloves 
      3    Peppercorns 
      7    Coriander roots 
     23    Shallots 
      4 c  Coconut milk, medium-thick 
      1 lb Chicken, white; sliced 
      5    Red chilies (prik khee-nu); 
           - minced 
      4 T  Nam pla 
      4 T  Lime juice 
      5    Krapau leaf; shredded 
      3    Cilantro sprig; chopped 
  
  Wash lemon grass and trim root ends and tough layers.  Slice bottom 6 
  inches thinly.  Chop 1 T. of this.  Puree chopped lemon grass, 1 T. of 
  sliced ginger, garlic, peppercorns, coriander roots and shallots.  Bring 
  1 cup of coconut milk to boil and add lemon grass mixture.  While 
  stirring, reduce heat to medium and add chicken, remaining coconut milk, 
  ginger slices and lemon grass.  Bring to boil, reduce heat, and simmer 
  uncovered until chicken is tender.  Season with chilies, fish sauce and 
  lime juice.  Decorate servings with lime leaves and coriander sprigs. 
   
  To make coconut milk:  Blend 2 cups fresh or frozen grated coconut with 
  water.  Strain through double cheesecloth, pressing out all liquid. 
  This is thick coconut milk.  To get hin milk, add warm water to residue 
  from first straining.  Let stand 5 minutes, then press as before. 
   
  For coconut cream, refrigerate first pressing and cream will rise to 
  top.  Refrigerate or freeze.  Two cups coconut makes 3 cups thick milk, 
  of which 6 tablespoons is cream.