Recipe Tom Yum Goong

Tom Yum Goong is a quintessential Thai soup known for its bold flavours and aromatic ingredients. This spicy and sour soup, packed with shrimp and fragrant herbs, is a favourite in Thai cuisine. With the right ingredients and techniques, you can recreate this delicious dish in your own kitchen. In this article, we'll provide you with a traditional recipe, along with serving suggestions, cooking tips, variations, and nutritional information.

Ingredients:

• 500g fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 stalks lemongrass, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 4 kaffir lime leaves
• 3-4 Thai bird's eye chillies, thinly sliced (adjust according to spice preference)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 thumb-sized piece of galangal, sliced
• 200g oyster mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium tomatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Handful of fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a boil over medium heat.
2. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, Thai bird's eye chillies, garlic, and galangal to the broth. Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes to infuse the flavours.
3. Add the shrimp, mushrooms, and tomatoes to the pot. Cook until the shrimp turns pink and opaque, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Stir in fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Taste and adjust seasoning by adding salt if necessary.
5. Remove the pot from heat and garnish with chopped cilantro leaves.
6. Serve hot with steamed rice or enjoy it as a standalone soup.

Tips:

• To enhance the flavour, lightly crush the lemongrass stalks and kaffir lime leaves before adding them to the broth.
• Adjust the amount of Thai bird's eye chillies according to your spice tolerance. You can also deseed them to reduce the heat.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute shrimp with tofu or mixed vegetables.
• Fresh ingredients are key to the authentic taste of Tom Yum Goong, so try to use them whenever possible.

Variations:

• Tom Yum Talay: Replace shrimp with a mix of seafood like squid, mussels, and fish.
• Tom Yum Gai: Substitute shrimp with chicken for a different protein option.
• Tom Yum Hed: Make a vegetarian version by using a variety of mushrooms like straw mushrooms, shiitake, and button mushrooms.

Nutritional Information:

• Calories per serving: Approximately 200 calories
• Protein: 25g
• Fat: 4g
• Carbohydrates: 15g
• Fiber: 3g

Conclusion:

Tom Yum Goong is a flavorful Thai soup that delights the taste buds with its spicy, sour, and aromatic notes. By following this recipe and incorporating the suggested tips and variations, you can create a delicious and satisfying dish that transports you to the streets of Thailand. Whether enjoyed as a comforting soup or a main course, Tom Yum Goong is sure to impress with its bold flavours and vibrant presentation.