Tasty Tom Yum with Shrimp

Tasty Tom Yum with Shrimp

Tom yum is considered the most famous Thai dish around the world.   Tom yum or Th-oo-m yum means soup in Thai.   There are several of variations of tom yum soup it could be created using different types of meats and vegetables.   Tom yum with shrimp is one of my favorite Thai soups to cook and one that is not too hard to make.   Are you ready for a cooking experience that will take you to another place and time?  
Begin by collecting all ingredients to use for Tom yum with shrimp.   This includes 4 cups of water; lemon grass approximately 1 to 2 inches long; two slices of a quarter size fresh ginger; three pieces of kaffir lime leaves; two pieces of shallots; three pieces of fresh Thai chili peppers; six pieces of canned straw mushrooms; 1 cup of fresh shrimp, a pinch of salt; 2 tablespoons of fish sauce; 2 tablespoons of Thai chili paste; 1 teaspoon of lime juice; and 1 tablespoon of finely chopped cilantro.  
To prepare all the ingredients begin by cutting the lemon grass into 1 to 2 inches long.   In addition, use the back of your knife to smash the lemon grass to release the flavor.   Next, remove three pieces of kaffir lime leaves off the stem.   Slice fresh ginger into two thin quarter size pieces.   Then peel the skin off two pieces of shallots and smash lightly.   Crush three pieces of fresh Thai chili peppers with the back of the knife.   Clean and drain six pieces of canned straw mushrooms, slice the bottom off of the mushrooms and cut them in half.   Then finely chop a handful of cilantro to make 1 tablespoon.   Next, peel and clean the 1 cup of shrimp and set them aside.   During the mean time start boiling a pot of water at high.   Instantly add the prepared kaffir lime leaves, lemon grass, fresh ginger, and shallots into the pot.   Let the water boil for approximately four to five minutes until it tastes like an herbal broth.   After, the water has boiled for four or five minutes, add a pinch of salt and shrimp.   Then add the cut straw...