Tom Yum Goong, often simply referred to as Tom Yum, is a popular and iconic Thai soup known for its bold and distinctive flavors. It is a hot and sour soup that typically features a combination of ingredients such as shrimp (goong), mushrooms, tomatoes, lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, and Thai chili peppers. The soup is seasoned with fish sauce, lime juice, and sometimes a touch of sugar. Here's a basic recipe for Tom Yum Goong:

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (about 450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 4 cups (about 950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 stalks lemongrass, bruised and cut into 2-inch pieces
• 3-4 slices galangal (or ginger if unavailable)
• 3-4 kaffir lime leaves
• 200g mushrooms, sliced
• 2 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 3-4 Thai bird's eye chili peppers, smashed (adjust to taste)
• 3 tablespoons fish sauce
• 2 tablespoons lime juice
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• Fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
• Optional: Thai chili paste (Nam Prik Pao) for extra heat

Instructions:

Prepare the Broth:

• In a pot, bring the chicken or vegetable broth to a simmer.

Add Lemongrass, Galangal, and Lime Leaves:

• Add the lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves to the simmering broth. Let them infuse their flavors into the broth for about 5-10 minutes.

Add Mushrooms and Tomatoes:

• Add the sliced mushrooms and tomato wedges to the pot. Cook until the mushrooms are tender.

Season with Chili Peppers, Fish Sauce, Lime Juice, and Sugar:

• Add the smashed Thai chili peppers, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar to the pot. Adjust the quantities to achieve the desired balance of hot, sour, salty, and sweet flavors. Optionally, add Thai chili paste for extra heat.

Add Shrimp:

• Add the peeled and deveined shrimp to the pot. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, which usually takes just a few minutes.

Adjust Seasoning:

• Taste the soup and adjust the seasoning if needed. Add more fish sauce, lime juice, or sugar to achieve the desired balance.

Serve:

• Remove the lemongrass, galangal slices, and kaffir lime leaves from the pot. Ladle the hot Tom Yum Goong into serving bowls.

Garnish and Enjoy:

• Garnish the soup with fresh cilantro leaves and serve hot.