{"id":"canh_chua_1c182052b6","slug":"vietnamese-sour-soup-canh-chua","title":"Vietnamese Sour Soup (Canh Chua)","description":"A classic Southeast Asian soup that perfectly balances sour, sweet, and savory flavors using tamarind, pineapple, and fresh herbs.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"300g Shrimp, peeled and deveined","name":"Shrimp","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"peeled and deveined","notes":"","group":"Protein","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"1.5 liters Water","name":"Water","quantity":1.5,"unit":"l","usQuantity":1.59,"usUnit":"qt","form":"liquid","notes":"Can use chicken or fish stock for more depth","group":"Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"60g Tamarind pulp or paste","name":"Tamarind Pulp","quantity":60,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"oz","form":"pulp","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"150g Pineapple, sliced into bite-sized pieces","name":"Pineapple","quantity":150,"unit":"g","usQuantity":5.3,"usUnit":"oz","form":"sliced","notes":"Fresh is preferred over canned","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 Tomatoes, cut into wedges","name":"Tomato","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"wedges","notes":"Medium size","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"8 Okra pods, sliced diagonally","name":"Okra","quantity":8,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":8,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"100g Bean sprouts","name":"Bean Sprouts","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"fresh","notes":"","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"3 Garlic cloves, minced","name":"Garlic","quantity":3,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"3 tbsp Fish sauce","name":"Fish Sauce","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"Adjust to taste","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 tbsp Sugar","name":"Sugar","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"granulated","notes":"Necessary to balance the tamarind sourness","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 bunch Rice paddy herb (Ngo Om), chopped","name":"Rice paddy herb","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"chopped","notes":"Essential for authentic aroma","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-12","original":"1 Bird's eye chili, sliced","name":"Bird's Eye Chili","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"Bird's eye variety","group":"Garnish","optional":true},{"id":"ingredient-13","original":"1 tbsp Cooking oil","name":"Cooking Oil","quantity":15,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"Neutral oil","group":"Base","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant and golden brown. Remove half of the fried garlic and set aside for garnish.","group":"Preparation","title":"Heat oil in a large pot","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Pour the water into the pot and bring to a boil. Dissolve the tamarind pulp in a small bowl of hot water, strain the seeds/solids, and pour the concentrated juice into the pot.","group":"Cooking the Base","title":"Pour the water into the pot","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking the Base"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the pineapple and tomatoes to the boiling water. Let it simmer for about 5 minutes until they soften slightly.","group":"Vegetables","title":"Add the pineapple and tomatoes","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Vegetables"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the shrimp and okra. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the shrimp turn pink and the okra is tender but not mushy.","group":"Protein","title":"Add the shrimp and okra","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Protein"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Stir in the fish sauce, sugar, and bean sprouts. The bean sprouts only need about 30 seconds to wilt.","group":"Finishing","title":"Stir in the fish sauce, sugar, and bean sprouts","timerMinutes":1,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Turn off the heat. Ladle the soup into bowls. Top with the reserved fried garlic, chopped rice paddy herb, and sliced chili.","group":"Serving","title":"Turn off the heat","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"Always serve with a side of steamed white rice. For the best flavor, use fresh rice paddy herbs (ngo om) and thorny cilantro (ngo gai) if available at your local Asian market.","cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Vietnamese"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer","saute"],"equipment":["large pot","strainer","ladle","small bowl"],"diet":["dairy_free","high_protein","gluten_free"],"allergens":["shellfish","fish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1.5,"unit":"l","note":"Approximately 4-6 bowls"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The broth base (water, tamarind, aromatics) can be made a day ahead. Add fresh vegetables and protein just before serving."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently on the stove.","reheatingNotes":"Okra and sprouts may become soft upon reheating."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fcanh_chua_1c182052b6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=cee1fdcf-b397-4c7d-adcd-687595f447ce","imageAlt":"Vietnamese Sour Soup (Canh Chua) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["vietnamese","sour soup","healthy","seafood","tamarind"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Vietnamese Sour Soup (Canh Chua)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T21:30:51.660Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T21:30:51.660Z","related":[{"id":"laksa_f56760c1ba","slug":"classic-singaporean-curry-laksa","title":"Classic Singaporean Curry Laksa","description":"A fragrant, rich, and spicy coconut-based noodle soup featuring succulent shrimp, absorbent tofu puffs, and silky rice noodles. This iconic Southeast Asian dish balances heat with creamy coconut milk and fresh herbs.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Singaporean","Malaysian"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flaksa_f56760c1ba%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9c29baeb-213c-4803-abc3-c8e259310bc9","imageAlt":"Classic Singaporean Curry Laksa — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","coconut","noodles","shrimp","southeast asian","comfort food","seafood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_92ec1423a8","slug":"gaeng-jued-thai-clear-soup","title":"Gaeng Jued (Thai Clear Soup)","description":"A comforting and light Thai clear soup featuring savory minced pork, silky egg tofu, and fresh vegetables in a fragrant aromatic broth.","serves":3,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_92ec1423a8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7ebf2ec1-7043-40b9-bdfa-dfc2e915dc0b","imageAlt":"Gaeng Jued (Thai Clear Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","low-calorie","comfort food","thai soup","clear soup","pork","tofu"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_f3c80a21f8","slug":"tom-kha-gai-thai-coconut-chicken-soup","title":"Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)","description":"A silky, aromatic Thai soup that perfectly balances creamy coconut milk with the citrusy punch of galangal, lemongrass, and lime.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_f3c80a21f8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=05294d26-7273-4df6-bb02-9d3602a02c14","imageAlt":"Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["thai","coconut","soup","chicken","spicy","fragrant","healthy","high protein"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":5}]}