Tom+Yum+Talay


 * Cooking**
 * Tom Yum Talay**

This Thai soup recipe comes from the wife of country doctor I once knew in Southern Thailand. She had the good fortune to have a shrimp-farming relative living nearby. This simple spicy, fragrant lemongrass soup cooks in one pot in less than 30 minutes. Tom Yum is the classic spicy and sour soup from Thailand and is served with jasmine rice and one or two other dishes as part of the family meal. The Thai word //talay // or //taleh //means 'sea' and of course refers to the mixed seafood in the soup.

Ingredients

 * 3 cups water
 * 1-2 pcs fresh [|lemon grass], tough tops cut off, cut into 3" lengths
 * 3 pcs garlic, smashed with the side of the cleaver
 * 2 tsp of [|sea salt] (only!)
 * 2 small whole squid (optional), cleaned and sliced crosswise into 1/2" rings
 * 3/4-1 lb dark, oily flesh fish such as mackerel, cleaned and cut into 3" long pieces (including bones and head if you like)
 * 1/4 lb small to medium-sized shrimp, heads and shell removed, tail intact
 * 2-3 limes, juiced
 * 3-4 pcs fresh [|kaffir lime leaf]
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">4+ fresh [|Thai chilies] (prik kee noo), as few/many as you like
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"> [|Fish sauce], imported Thai brands are recommended ( [|Golden Boy] brand is recommended)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Fresh tomato, sliced lengthwise into 6 piece

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 0.93em;">Preparation
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Bring water, lemon grass, garlic, and sea salt to a boil for 4 minutes. There should be just enough water to cover the seafood once it is all added, by about 1 inch. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Add squid and fish. Boil another 2 minutes. Add shrimps. Add juice of 2 limes, kaffir lime leaf, chilies. Taste and adjust seasoning with fish sauce if needed. Add tomato. Turn off heat. Serve with large soup spoons and jasmine rice. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Notes: You can buy frozen whole mackerel and whole squid in markets catering to Asians, if you cannot find it fresh. Fresh shrimp are wonderful if you are fortunate enough to have a source! <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">