TOM YUM SOUP

INGREDIENTS
12 oz. (350 g) shrimp or tiger prawn, head-on and shell-on
2 1/2 cups shrimp stock (preferred). You could also use chicken stock of you don’t like shrimp stock.
1 stalk lemongrass, cut into 3-inch strips, pounded with a cleaver
3 slices galangal
6 kaffir lime leaves, bruised
6 bird’s eyes chilies, pounded
6 fresh oyster mushrooms, cut into pieces
3 teaspoons fish sauce
3 1/2 tablespoons lime juice
Cilantro leaves, for garnishing

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Peel the shell and head off the shrimp, keep the tails on. Save the shell and shrimp head. Devein the shrimp and set it aside.

2. In a pot, bring 3 cups of water to boil. Add the shrimp head and shell to make shrimp stock. Boil until the water turns slightly orange in colour. Press the shrimp heads with a spatula to extract the juice from the heads. Simmer and let the stock reduce to 2 1/2 cups. Drain the shrimp stock and discard the shrimp heads and shells.

3. Turn the heat to high and add the lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, bird’s eye chilies, mushroom, and the oil. For best flavour use nam prik pao and nam prik pao oil. Add the shrimp stock. Bring it to boil.

4. Add in the shrimp and fish sauce. Lastly, add the lime juice (if you add lime juice too early, the soup might turn bitter). Boil until the shrimps are cooked, dish out, and garnish with cilantro leaves. Serve immediately.