In this cooking class we will prepare the most common variety of Tom Yum: Tom Yum Goong (Shrimp).
This soup dish originates from Laos and central Thailand. It is a popular choice in neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Vietnam and Singapore. By now it is well known all over the world.
The name literally translated from Thai language means “to boil” (Tom) and Yam is the name of a spicy and sour salad. The dish for this cooking class has indeed hot and sour flavors. Fragrant herbs and spices are generously used in the broth.
Due to it’s combination and balance of herbs and spices appealing to an entire array of different tastes ranging from spicy over sour and bitter to salty, it could be considered to be “The Thai signature dish”.
Fun fact: Tom Yum Goong is the title of one of the best known Thai action movies although it was marketed in the US as “The Protector”, in the UK as “The Warrior King” and in Germany as “Revenge of the Warrior”.
Bring prawn heads with water to boil in a pot and simmer for 30 min. Pour through a strainer.
If you are using already peeled prawns just skip this step.
Add lemon grass, galangal, garlic, baby corn, carrots, tomatoes and Onions to stock/ water and boil for a while. Already add as well salt and sugar to taste.
Add chilly paste, kaffir lime leaves and mushrooms and let it boil until the mushrooms are cooked
Last but not least you add the prawns and let it boil just a little bit longer
Turn off the gas when the prawns are cooked and add the celery and spring onions. If you like the taste, add some coriander as well.
Now squeeze some lime juice in to taste.
The many different sweet and sour sauces used in Thai cooking originate from China. And this is just one of the many popular Thai dishes coming from there. In the 15th century the Hokkien people migrated to Thailand, followed by the Teochew people from the late 18th century on, who settled mainly in the towns and cities. They were as well the ones, who introduced the Wok in Thai cooking and the technique of stir-frying and deep-frying dishes. The use of chop sticks and even the popular Thai breakfast Chok (โจ๊ก-rice porridge) comes from there as well.
Some experts say, that the original sweet and sour sauce comes from the province of Hunan and was just a weak mixture of vinegar and sugar. If this is the case, the following recipe has very little to do with the original sauce. This version of the sweet and sour sauce could easily be served as a vegetarian stand alone with rice.
What makes this recipe really Thai, is what the name already implies. Pla saam rot literally means 3 tastes fish and refers to the aim of Thai cuisine to appeal to at least 3 taste senses in one Thai meal. In my opinion, if well balanced, this meal even appeals to four: Sweet, sour, salty and spicy.
