TOM YUM SOUP

Step 1: Measure Stock into Soup Pot   

                         


Step 1: Measure 6 cups good-tasting chicken stock into a soup pot (SERVES 2-3). Vegetarians/Vegans: substitute vegetable soup or faux chicken stock.
For this recipe you will also need:

• 1-2 stalks lemongrass , OR frozen prepared lemongrass (see step 2)
• 3-4 kaffir lime leaves (see step 3)
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• optional: 1 thumb-size piece galangal or ginger
• 3 Tbsp. fish sauce OR 4 Tbsp. soy sauce (use wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets)
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
• 1 fresh red chili, OR 1/2 tsp. dried crushed chili
• 12-16 shrimp OR 1-2 cups soft tofu
• Vegetables of your choice (mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, bok choy or broccoli)
• 1/2 can coconut milk OR evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup fresh basil AND/OR 1/2 cup fresh coriander (cilantro)
• optional: 1 tsp. sugar                   

Step 2: Quickly Prepare Fresh Lemongrass (OR Buy Some Already Prepared)

Preparing Fresh Lemongrass

Step 2: Use 1-2 stalks fresh lemongrass for this recipe (available at Asian stores or markets). OR use 4 Tbsp. frozen prepared (minced) lemongrass, available in plastic tubs in the freezer section of most Asian/Chinese food stores. To Prepare Fresh Lemongrass: Pull off any outer leaves that are dry or overly fibrous. Cut off the bulb and discard. Now slice up the lower 1/3 of the stalk. For this version of Tom Yum, the lemongrass will not be eaten (this is usually the case in authentic Thai cooking), so you needn't slice it thinly - thicker pieces will be fine. Use the upper stalk as well by cutting it into 4-inch lengths.
Add your prepared lemongrass to the stock (including upper stalk pieces, if using fresh lemongrass), and bring soup to a boil.                          

Step 3: Add Lime Leaves

Adding Kaffir Lime Leaves

Step 3: Add 3-4 whole kaffir lime leaves to the soup pot (available fresh or frozen at Asian/Chinese food stores). Note: if you can't find kaffir lime leaves, substitute the zest of 1 lime.             

Step 4: Add Fresh Garlic

Adding Fresh Garlic

Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, or hot enough for soup to simmer. Add 3-4 cloves garlic, pressed or finely chopped/minced.
Optional: At this point you can also add 1 thumb-size piece galangal OR ginger, grated.     

Step 5: Add Fish Sauce and Lime Juice

Adding Fish Sauce

Step 5: Add 3 Tbsp. fish sauce, 1 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lime juice, and 1 tsp. brown sugar or 1/2 tsp. white sugar (note: sugar is optional). Fish sauce is available in tall bottles at Asian/Chinese food stores. Vegetarians/Vegans: Substitute 4 Tbsp. soy sauce (use wheat-free soy sauce for gluten-free diets).

Step 6: Add Red Chili

Adding Chili

Step 6: Add some red chili. Here I'm using both fresh and dried crushed chili, but feel free to use one or the other. Dried crushed chili is readily available in the spice aisle of your favorite supermarket. Add as little or as much as you like (here I'm adding 1 whole chili and 1/2 tsp. crushed dried chili). You can also use chili sauce instead - just make sure it is an Asian red chili sauce. Add as much or little as you prefer.

Step 7: Add Vegetables

Adding Vegetables

Step 7: Vegetables are optional in Tom Yum soup, but I prefer to add them, as they make the soup even healthier, plus they add flavor and texture. Here I'm adding 4-5 sliced shiitake mushrooms, plus 1 + 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, and about 2 cups chopped bok choy. Other vegetables that go well with Tom Yum: broccoli, baby corn, and red or green bell peppers. Feel free to experiment with your own favorite veggies!  

Step 8: Add Shrimp (or see below if Vegetarian/Vegan)

Adding Shrimp

Step 8: Add 12-16 medium-size shrimp (here I'm using frozen organic shrimp that have been briefly pre-cooked). If using frozen shrimp, be sure to thaw them first (you can do this quickly by plunging them in a bowl of tempid water). Note that raw shrimp will cook in just 2-3 minutes.
Vegetarians/Vegans: Substitute 1-2 cups soft tofu, sliced into cubes. Add the tofu at the very end of the recipe, just before taste-testing, or it will fall apart.

Step 9: Add Coconut Milk (or Evaporated Milk)

Adding Coconut Milk

Step 9: Reduce heat to low. Add 1/2 can coconut milk OR 1/3 to 1/2 can evaporated milk. The latter is often used in Thailand, and is considered authentic for Tom Yum soup (strictly authentic Tom Yum with coconut milk is called 'Tom Kha', not 'Tom Yum'; however, these days most Thai restaurants don't bother with this distinction, given that coconut milk is really the ingredient that makes this soup sing!). Tip: Try to use a good-quality coconut milk (not 'lite') for your Tom Yum. The fat in coconut milk is a healthy fat and is actually good for your heart. If you are concerned about your health, buy organic coconut milk, as pictured here.                    

Step 10: Taste-Test and Serve Your Tom Yum Soup!

Taste-test and Serve your Homemade Tom Yum Soup!

Step 10: Taste-test the soup. If too sour for your taste, add a little sugar. If not salty enough, add more fish sauce, soy sauce, or a shake of salt. If too sweet or too salty, add another squeeze of lime juice. Add more chili for more heat, or more coconut milk/evaporated milk if too spicy for your taste. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with a generous sprinkling of fresh basil and coriander.
Tidbit: Be sure to tell guests who are new to Thai food they don't have to eat the lemongrass pieces or lime leaf. The first time I had Tom Yum soup, I chewed down half the lemongrass in my bowl before someone let me off the hook! ENJOY!!