This actually comes together very quickly once you have everything chopped, so be sure to have everything chopped and prepped before you start cooking.
8 cups of water
2 large roma tomato (cut in 1/6ths), or 20 cherry tomatoes (halved), or mix
2 dried guajillo chile peppers, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons palm, muscovado or brown sugar
1 quantity of Tom Yum Paste* (see below)
8 - 12 ounces mixed mushrooms (nameko, oyster, etc)
splash of shoyu or soy sauce, to taste
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, or to taste
1/4 cup chopped cilantro in each bowl, for servingTo serve: Serve on its own with lime wedges, or with steamed rice, and warm tofu. Bonus points for a drizzle of lemon olive oil, or lime oil for serving, and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the raw tomato, guajillo chile, and sugar. Simmer for a few minutes, until the tomato softens a bit, add the Tom Yum Paste*. Allow to simmer for a minute or two, before adding the mushrooms. Simmer until tender, just a minute or two. Add a small splash of shoyu or soy sauce, and about half of the lime juice. Taste, and adjust with more of either, if needed. Place 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro in the base of each bowl, and top with the soup.
Serves 4-6.
I make the tom yum paste and keep it on hand (or frozen) for quick weeknight meals. It is also great slathered inside spring rolls, dolloped on flatbreads, whisked into yogurt, etc.
4 medium shallots, peeled
3 stalks of lemongrass, tender centers roughly chopped
2 serrano chile peppers, deseeded
2 slices ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
4 makrut lime leaves (or 3 makrut lime + 2 Meyer lemon), torn and smashed
zest of one Meyer lemon (optional)
1/2 teaspoon fine grain sea salt
Using a mortar and pestle, smash the shallots, lemongrass, serrano chiles, ginger, lime leaves, lemon zest, and salt into a very rough paste. Set aside. If your mortar and pestle is on the small size, work in batches.
Makes ~2/3 cup or enough for one Tom Yum soup recipe (above).
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