Yes, I said Vegan Curry Soup!
Let me introduce you to my Vegan Panang Curry Soup. Not only is this soup super yummy, but it’s also easy and fast to make. I love Panang Curry and couldn’t wait to incorporate it into a vegetarian curry soup. That unique blend of heat and sweetness with the creaminess of coconut milk! It’s so good. I like to use Mike’s Organic Curry Love; (the one in the glass jar). It’s USDA organic and vegan. What I like about this paste is that it’s not too salty. I have found most other curry pastes to be too salty for me. Additionally, the flavor is spot on, and it’s beautifully clean. If you like it spicy, be sure to add more curry paste or Thai peppers to make this a proper vegan spicy curry soup.
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Spicy Soup
Oh, the depth of flavors in Panang it’s a journey for the taste buds! So, I thought I should take these flavors and up the comfort factor by making a vegan Panang curry soup! This soup is the absolute comfort soup. My favorite part is when the heat that tickles the back of your throat meets this excellent citrusy brightness. Add in a bit of sweetness from those bright, beautiful sweet potatoes, and you’ve got a winner for any dinner. If you love curry and soups that have you feeling light and good afterward but also satiated, then this is the vegetarian curry soup for you! I love to top mine with some crunchy, oven-roasted chickpeas and an extra squeeze of lime juice.
Spicy Curry Soup, too spicy for you?
Don’t worry; you don’t have to leave the kitchen! My hubby doesn’t do well with spicy food, so I am always trying to find a way to satisfy both of our taste buds and tummies. If this soup is too spicy (or you’re worried it might be), I’ve got fixes for you. If everyone wants it milder, omit the Thai peppers, then you’ll just have the warmth from the Panang Curry Paste. If that’s still too spicy (or you want to mellow it out for just one person), check out my unique coconut butter /coconut mana fix in the recipe’s notes. It sweetens the curry, takes the edge off, and thickens it a bit too. I love the organic Artisana Coconut Butter that I can get at my local store. A little goes a long way, and you can also use it in other recipes, like coconut rice.
More Healthy Vegan Soups
If you loved this recipe, check out my Sunshine Bowl Soup. It’s also a curry soup, but it’s an entirely different flavor profile with yellow (madras) curry and tons of turmeric. It’s an anti-inflammatory punch in soup form. If you’re on the lookout for a hearty chili, I’ve got a Vegan White Chili that is so filling, nutritious, and delicious you won’t believe it’s Vegan.
Vegan Panang Curry Soup with Kale, Sweet Potato and Beans
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Ingredients
- 2 tbsp coconut oil, You can also use another healthy cooking fat such as avocado oil or grapeseed oil.
- 3 lemongrass stalks, (If you can't find any fresh lemongrass, don't worry about it, most curry pastes include lemongrass. This added bit enhances the fresh lemongrass flavor). Cut off the bottom and top 1/4, so you're left with the lower light green tender part. Peel the outermost layers until you have just the tender center part, then finely mince it.
- 4 inch fresh piece of ginger, Peeled and finely minced or grated
- 1 white or yellow onion, Cut in half and then thinly sliced into half circles.
- 4 kaffir lime leaves, (If you can't find any, don't worry about it, most curry pastes include lime leaves. These fresh lime leaves enhance the bright and citrusy lime flavor). Remove the center stem of the leaves and chiffon (slice) into super thin ribbons.
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed or finely minced
- 1-2 small red thai peppers (if you want it spicy), Finely Chopped (feel free to omit these if you have spice sensitive eaters enjoying this dish)
- 3 tbsp panang curry paste, Curry paste varies in spiciness and saltiness, so if you're worried about spice or salt content, use a bit less until you know your curry paste better.
- 4 cups red kidney beans (already cooked or canned), I have also used (and loved) chickpeas, Adzuki Beans, White Beans.
- 2 Cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 2 13.5 oz cans coconut milk
- 3 big handfuls kale, stems removed and roughly chopped
- 1-2 sweet potatoes, cut into thin fries
- 1/4 cup lime juice , Freshly Squeezed (plus more for topping if desired)
- 1 bunch fresh basil, I love to top mine with a lot of freshly chopped basil leaves.
Optional toppings
- oven-roasted (crispy) chickpeas, Another favorite, I oven roast some cooked chickpeas (so they get crispy) and add them on top. They add a crunchy texture and light earthy taste.
- rice noodles, I've done this for guests to make the soup more fun to eat and fancy. Follow packaging instructions and add when you ladle your soup into your bowls.
- jasmine rice, If you have someone in your home that wants to add some rice or carbs to this, jasmine rice goes very well with it.
Instructions
- Heat oil in a big pot or dutch oven over medium heat.
- Add the onions and saute for about 3-5 minutes or until soft and slightly translucent. Stir occasionally to make sure they don't burn or stick to the pan.
- Add lemongrass, ginger, curry paste, garlic, peppers, and kaffir lime leaves; saute for another 2 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add broth and coconut milk. Give a good stir to make sure nothing is stuck to the bottom of your pot and to incorporate everything well.
- Add the sweet potatoes and stir to incorporate them fully.
- Turn up the heat and bring to a full boil, then turn the heat down to low and simmer covered for 15-20 minutes, or until your sweet potatoes are cooked through and soft.
- Add the kale and cook for another 3-5 minutes, so all the kale is cooked and soft.
- Take off the heat, and add lime juice. Give it a good stir and adjust seasoning to taste.
- Serve with suggested toppings. Once dished, top with another squirt of lime and chopped fresh basil (if using).
Notes
- Add some coconut butter (also known as coconut mana) to the soup bowls when serving. Be sure to do it while the soup is really hot (so the coconut butter melts). Also, give it a good stir to mix the melted coconut butter throughout.
- Create a super-rich and creamy coconut cream to add. Use a microwave-safe bowl; add about a teaspoon of water to a tablespoon of coconut butter (coconut mana), and put it in the microwave for a few seconds to create a sweet, rich, super thick cream. It sweetens the curry, takes the edge off, and thickens it a bit too.
