Tom Yum Kung (hot and sour soup with shrimps)

A hot and spicy soup and a favorite among Thai people. A clear broth with mushrooms, shrimps and the distinctive scent of Thai herbs such as lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves and lime juice.

Ingredients: (for 3 persons)
9 shrimps
7 oz halved straw mushrooms
9 Thai chilies, lightly crushed
1 lemon grass stem
5 kaffir lime leaves
1 tbsp roasted chili paste
2 tbsp fish sauce
3 tbsp lime juice
4 cups chicken stock
Garnish: kaffir lime leaves, slices of lemon grass and Thai chilies.

Preparation:

• Remove the outer layer of the lemon grass stems and wash thoroughly. Cut off stems 21/2 from base and slice diagonally into 1/4” pieces. ?Boil chicken stock, add lemon grass and continue boiling until fragrant. Then add straw mushrooms and shrimps and boil until cooked.


• Add fish sauce, lime juice, chili paste, kaffir lime leaves and chilies. Boil once more.


• Pour Tom Yum Kung into a serving bowl, garnish with kaffir lime leaves, slices of lemon grass and chilies. Serve hot with fragrant cooked jasmine rice.