Easy Tom Yum Soup Recipe, Step by Step!

By Darlene Schmidt, About.com Guide

Step 2: Use 1-2 stalks fresh lemongrass for this recipe (available at Asian stores or markets). OR use 4 Tbsp. frozen prepared (minced) lemongrass, available in plastic tubs in the freezer section of most Asian/Chinese food stores.

To Prepare Fresh Lemongrass: Pull off any outer leaves that are dry or overly fibrous. Cut off the bulb and discard. Now slice up the lower 1/3 of the stalk. For this version of Tom Yum, the lemongrass will not be eaten (this is usually the case in authentic Thai cooking), so you needn't slice it thinly - thicker pieces will be fine. Use the upper stalk as well by cutting it into 4-inch lengths.
Add your prepared lemongrass to the stock (including upper stalk pieces, if using fresh lemongrass), and bring soup to a boil.