Feed a Cold! (Tom Yum Goong Hot/Sour Thai Soup)

So I’ve had a nasty head cold for the past couple of days and I’ve always found that the best cure for such things is hot and sour soup…particularly the Thai Soup Tom Yum Goong (or, with chicken, Gai). I’ve never made such a thing before, but I was up for the challenge.

Yummmmm for sure! Look at that steamy goodness...

It is an easy recipe to make, but a bit hard to find the ingredients at your local grocery store. This is SPICY! So, with those things in mind, let us begin.

What you need: A stove, knives, large pot.
Serves: 3-4 big bowls

Ingredients:

1 Thumb sized bit of ginger, minced
12-15 shrimp (about 4-5 per person)
2 Stalks of Lemongrass, chopped
2 Red Chilies, chopped (or Thai Chilies if you can find them)
A couple handfuls of Shitake mushrooms, sliced (or, if on a budget, just get the normal kind)
6 cups of chicken stock
2 Shallots, minced
2 Limes
2 Cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp of fish sauce (This is a traditional Thai food, if you can’t get it, or don’t want to spend the money on it, then substitute with soy sauce)
1 tbsp of soy sauce
2 tbsp chopped, fresh cilantro
½ cup/can coconut milk (or normal, whole milk, but the coconut is traditional Thai, and adds a richer/sweeter flavor)
1 tbsp lemon juice
2 tsp brown sugar
Rice Noodles (or spaghetti noodles for main course)

1. Cut up lemongrass-The softer, fleshier part of the lemongrass - which is what you want to use in your cooking - is located under the tough outer leaves. Peel away these layers with your fingers and discard. What you will uncover is a pale yellow stalk that is softer and easier to slice.
2. Cut up 1 lime into slices (not wedges) and juice the other
3. Put the chicken broth in large pot and let come to a boil
4. Add lemongrass, mushrooms, shallots, lime juice, lemon juice, and shrimp (or chicken). (If your shrimp are uncooked, allow the soup to boil until they are pink. If your chicken is uncooked, allow it to cook thoroughly-about 5-8 minutes)

BTW….While you are waiting for your chosen meat to cook, bring a separate pot of water to a boil and make your noodles (a small handful for each person)

4. Turn heat down to medium and add the coconut milk, fish sauce, soy sauce, ginger, cilantro, garlic, red chilies (with seeds), lime slices and sugar. Simmer gently for 5 minutes
5. Now do a taste test…look for balance between the spicy, sour, and salty flavors: Start with salty, adding more fish sauce/soy sauce if not salty or flavorful enough (1 tsp at a time) If too sour, add more brown sugar. If too spicy, or if you'd like it creamier, add more coconut milk. If not spicy enough, add more chili.
6. Place noodles into bowls and ladle soup over top of them and garnish with fresh cilantro.
7. If you are feeling adventurous add a dollop of chili sauce for more spice!

This is good stuff! Make it!