Tom Yum Soup

Tom Yum Soup, also called Tom Yam, comes from Central Thailand. The soup itself is a broth soup, which means all the flavor is in the broth. This dish is considered a sweet and spicy delicacy; of course, that depends on how the chef likes their spice. It usually is served with shrimp, but pork and chicken can be substituted.
When I made this dish, I was at my grandma’s house. I wanted to make Tom Yum soup because it was from a video game called Adorable Home; not to mention that my grandma had shrimp that needed to be eaten. Because My grandparents live in a smaller town, we didn’t have access to most of the ingredients, so we improvised. I bought the bell peppers, green onions and got to work. I had to take into consideration that my grandma doesn’t like spicy food, but my grandpa and I love spicy food. I really only used chili flakes to add the spice so that grandpa and I could add more spice later. Turns out I added a disproportionate amount of chili flakes for grandma. She still ate the soup, but had to eat it very slowly. Grandpa and I ate it very fast and grabbed seconds. The tomatoes were perfectly well done and just melted in your mouth. The spice hits the back of your throat in such a way that it makes someone think that you need a glass of milk but it keeps pulling your tastebuds back for more.

Ingredients:
For the broth:
3 cups water
300 10 oz whole prawns or shrimp
½ cup 2 stalks of lemongrass
1.5 cm piece of galandal
5 kaffir lime leaves
2 thai or birdseye chillies
3 garlic cloves

Soup add ins:
4 oz oyster mush
1 roma tomato
½ white onion
1 tsp sugar
3 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
Cilantro or coriander for garnish

Instructions
Peel prawns. Place heads and shell in pot. Reserve meat
Use a meat mallet to smash the garlic, chili, and lemongrass. We do this because it will release flavor. Add into the pot
Crush kaffir lime leaves and add to the pot
Add galangal, stock, and water. Bring to a simmer on high heat. Cover then reduce to medium and simmer for 10 minutes
Remove prawn shells and heads. Simmer on low heat
Add onions and mushrooms, simmer for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes and simmer for 1 minute.
Add the prawns we cleaned and shelled earlier;, cook for 2 minutes or just until cooked
Stir in sugar, fish sauce, and add lime juice.

Notes:
Depending on where you live and where you can find these ingredients, it’s okay to substitute ingredients if you can’t find them in your area.
If you want a more creamy soup simply add coconut milk or a small amount of half and half.