Description
Discover the authentic flavors of Tom Yum Soup with our easy-to-follow recipe. Learn how to make this classic Thai dish at home with our step-by-step guide.
Ingredients
- – 300g / 10oz prawns / shrimp with heads and shells on
- – 3 cup (750 ml) water
- – 1/2 cup (125 ml) beef stock/broth, low sodium
- – 2 stalks of lemongrass, outer layers peeled
- – 1.5 cm / 3/5″ piece of ginger, cut into 4 slices
- – 5 kaffir lime leaves, torn roughly
- – 2 Thai or birdseye chillies
- – 3 garlic cloves
- – 120g / 4oz shiitake mushrooms
- – 1 roma tomato, cut into wedges
- – 1/2 white onion (medium sized), cut into wedges about 1 cm thick
- – 1 tsp (5 ml) sugar
- – 3 tbsp (45 ml) soy sauce
- – 3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice
- – Coriander/cilantro, for garnish
- – 1 1/2 tbsp (23 ml) Thai roasted chili sauce (Nam Prik Pa)
- – 1/3 cup (75 ml) coconut milk
Instructions
- Remove the shells from the prawns, keeping the meat aside. Place the heads and shells in a pot.
- Use a mallet or similar tool to crush the garlic, chillies, and lemongrass until they release their flavors. Add them to the pot.
- Tear the kaffir lime leaves with your hands and add them to the pot.
- Include ginger slices, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then cover and reduce to medium heat to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Filter the liquid, removing the prawn shells and other solids, then pour the clear broth back into the pot on low heat.
- Introduce the onion wedges and shiitake mushrooms to the broth, allowing them to simmer for 3 minutes. Add the tomato wedges and continue simmering for another minute.
- Gently add the prawn meat and cook for about 2 minutes until they are just done.
- Mix in the sugar and soy sauce, letting it simmer for an additional minute.
- Pour in the lime juice, then taste the soup. Adjust the balance of sweet (sugar), salty (soy sauce), and sour (lime juice) to your preference.
- Serve the soup in bowls, garnished with fresh coriander and chillies for decoration. This is the clear version of Tom Yum.
- When adding sugar, also incorporate Thai roasted chili sauce and coconut milk.
- Proceed with the creamy version of Tom Yum, ensuring the substitution of coconut milk for evaporated milk.
Notes
- Consider simmering the broth longer for a more intense flavor before adding the vegetables and prawns.
- Enhance spiciness by increasing Thai roasted chili sauce or adding extra Thai birdseye chillies.
- Add variety and depth to the soup by experimenting with different mushrooms like oyster or enoki.
