Tom Yam (Thailand)

Tom Yam (Thailand) Food History:

Here's a brief history of Tom Yum soup.

• The origin and history of Tom Yum soup are unclear, but it is believed to have started in central Thailand.
• One theory is that it was created by chefs in the Ayutthaya Kingdom, a kingdom that was founded in the mid-14th century.
• Another theory is that Tom Yum soup was created by rural farmers.
• Tom Yum soup became a staple of Thai cuisine and quickly spread throughout the country.
• It has evolved over time to include different ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves and chili peppers.
• In the last few decades, Tom Yum soup has become popular outside of Thailand.

Tom Yam (Thailand) Cooking Ingredients:

Here are the ingredients for traditional Thai Tom Yum soup:

Broth:

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups prawn or chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons tom yum paste
• 2 lemongrass stalks, bruised
• 2 kaffir lime leaves
• 1/2 cup fresh galangal, sliced
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper

Protein:

• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 pound chicken breast or thighs, sliced

Aromatics:

• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Chilies:

• 2-3 Thai bird's eye chilies, sliced
• 1-2 dried red chilies, crushed or 1-2 teaspoon chili flakes

Other:

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons lime wedges (for serving)
• Salt (to taste)

Feel free to adjust the ingredients to suit your taste preferences and spice level!