Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 cups good-tasting vegetable or simulated chicken stock (makes 4 servings)
- 1-2 stalks lemongrass, minced (see link below), OR 3-4 Tbsp. frozen prepared lemongrass (available at Asian stores)
- 3 whole kaffir lime leaves (available fresh or frozen at Asian food stores)
- 1-2 cups soft tofu, sliced into cubes
- 1-2 red chilies, OR 1/2 tsp. dried crushed chili, OR 1 tsp. Thai chili sauce
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 bell peppers, red and green, sliced or chopped into bite-size pieces
- 1 cup fresh mushroom (I used shiitake), sliced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 can coconut milk
- 1/3 cup fresh coriander/cilantro, roughly chopped
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce (use wheat-free for gluten-free diets)
- 1-2 tsp. brown sugar
- optional: 1 Tbsp. fresh-squeezed lime juice
- optional: Nam Prik Pao Chili Sauce for serving (either store-bought, or homemade - see below)
Preparation:
- For complete instructions on how to buy and cook with lemongrass, see: All About Lemongrass: Your Guide to Buying, Preparing, and Cooking with Lemongrass.
- Pour stock into a soup pot and add the prepared lemongrass, plus the garlic, chili, and lime leaves. Bring to a boil and continue boiling for 5 minutes, or until broth is very fragrant.
- Add mushrooms and bell peppers. Cook for 5-8 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft.
- Turn down the heat to low and add 1 tsp. sugar, coconut milk, cherry tomatoes, plus the soy sauce. Finally, add the soft tofu and gently stir. Simmer over low heat 1 more minute.
- Do a taste-test, adding more chili if not spicy enough. If not salty enough, add more soy sauce (instead of salt) as desired. Add 1 more tsp. sugar if too sour. If too salty or sweet, add 1 Tbsp. lime juice. For even more flavor and spice, add a dollop of two of Thai Nam Prik Pao Chili Sauce, either store-bought or my own homemade Nam Prik Pao Chili Sauce Recipe (optional).
- To serve, ladle soup into bowls with fresh coriander sprinkled over. Enjoy!
Note: Although I prefer my Tom Yum with coconut milk, more traditional versions of the soup don't include it. Feel free to experiment with it both ways and see which one you prefer.


