This sweet and spicy soup is a happy contrast of hot broth, springy noodles and fresh herbs for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbs sesame oil (you can also use olive oil but it won’t have the same flavor)
• 1 small onion, minced
• 1 Tbs ginger, minced
• 1 Tbs lemongrass, minced (you can also use lemongrass paste for convenience)
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp dark red chili paste
• 3/4 pound chicken breast, shrimp, fish, or tofu, sliced
• 3 Tbs curry powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 can (14 oz) unsweetened coconut milk
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 1/4 tsp ground turmeric
• 2 Tbs fish sauce or soy sauce
• 1 Tbs sugar
• 8 oz dried thin rice noodles (or other Asian noodle)
• salt to taste
• 1 cup bean sprouts
• 3 Tbs chopped cilantro
• 1 carrot, sliced
• lime or curry leaves

Instructions

1. Heat oil in a medium pot over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, and lemongrass to cook, stirring until softened, about 10 minute. (Don’t brown, reduce heat if necessary). Add garlic and chili paste and stir until fragrant.
2. Raise heat and add protein (chicken, shrimp, fish, or tofu) and stir-fry one minute. Add curry powder and paprika and stir to coat. then add coconut milk, chicken stock, turmeric, fish sauce/soy sauce, sugar and lime or curry leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until protein is cooked through.
3. Meanwhile, cook rice noodles in water according to package directions.
4. Taste the broth and adjust with salt and sugar to your liking. Divide noodles into large soup bowls or meal prep containers. Bring broth to a boil, then label of noodles.
5. Top with bean sprouts, cilantro, and carrot.

Athlete Benefits

• ginger helps with digestion and can help sooth upset stomachs
• onion and garlic have been shown to reduce the risk of blood clots (women on hormonal birth control have an increased risk of blood clots)
• coconut milk is an excellent source of electrolytes, especially potassium
• turmeric contains antioxidants that help reduce inflammation caused by training
• amino acids from chicken, shrimp, fish or tofu help repair muscle damage and speed recovery
• rice noodles replenish glycogen depleted from workouts and help you hit high intensities at your next workout
• carrots help protect your skin from all those hours training in the sun