Real tom yum soup with coconut milk

1. Real Tom Yum Soup with Coconut
Milk ("Tom Khaa")

2. Do you know anyone who doesn't love Tom Yum soup?
Aside from being the most famous of all Thai
soups, Tom Yum offers many health benefits, due to its
potent combination of herbs and spices. In fact, this
Thai soup is currently under scientific study, as it
appears to have immune-boosting power as a natural
remedy for cold and flu viruses. In this version of the
soup, I've included coconut milk (officially "Tom Khaa")
which I find adds both richness and flavor while still
keeping the soup super healthy. Enjoy!

3. What You'll Need
3-4 cups chicken stock (this makes enough soup to serve 2 people)
1 stalk lemongrass, lower 1/3 finely minced (for instructions on how to prepare
lemongrass, see link)
3 kaffir lime leaves (available fresh or frozen at Asian food stores)
12-14 medium or large raw shrimp, shelled
2 Tbsp. fish sauce
½ tsp. dried crushed chili (to taste)
3 cloves garlic, minced
optional: a handful of cherry tomatoes
generous handful fresh shiitake mushrooms sliced thinly
1 green and/or red bell pepper, sliced
½ can coconut milk (add more or less to taste)
⅓ cup fresh coriander, roughly chopped
optional: 1 tsp. brown sugar, and a squeeze of lime juice

4. How to Make It
Pour stock into a deep cooking pot and turn heat to medium-high.
Add prepared lemongrass to the pot, including upper parts of the stalk you
didn't mince. Boil 5 to 6 minutes, or until fragrant.
Reduce heat slightly to achieve a nice simmer. Add garlic, chili, lime leaves,
and mushrooms to broth. Continue simmering for another 5 minutes.
Add shrimp, bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes (if using). Simmer 5-6
minutes, or until shrimp are pink and plump.
Turn down the heat to low and add 1/2 can coconut milk plus fish sauce.
Test-test the soup for spice and salt, adding more chili and/or fish sauce
(instead of salt) as desired. If too sour for your taste, add 1 tsp. brown sugar;
if too salty, add a squeeze of lime juice. Add more coconut milk if you want
your soup richer/creamier, or if it's too spicy for your taste.
Serve in bowls with fresh coriander sprinkled over. Enjoy!! (See below for
more variations on this recipe.)

5. Variations:
• For a vegetarian version, see my Easy
Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup Recipe
• For a more traditional Tom Yum Soup (without
coconut milk), see: Traditional Tom Yum Soup
• If you prefer chicken over seafood, substitute
chicken breast for shrimp (cut the chicken into
bite-size pieces).
• Rice noodles can also be added for a delicious
noodle soup version of Tom Yum.