Hot and Sour Shrimp Soup (Tom Yum Goong)

Tom Yum is one of the best known Thai dishes, this is hot, sour and fragrant soup. Hot and Sour Shrimp soup is an ideal accompaniment to other Thai salads, entrees and rice.

1 Pound Medium Shrimp
4 Tablespoon Tom Yum Paste
2 can (15 Ounce) Straw mushroom, drained
2 stalk Lemon grass (cut into 2 inches long)
4 leaves Kaffir lime leaves
2 Teaspoon Thai Hot Chili
2 Teaspoons Fish sauce
1 Teaspoon Sugar
6 Teaspoons Lime juice
8 Cups Water

Garnish
4 sprigs Cilantro

Preparation
1. Rinse and shell the shrimp except the tail.
2. Cut down the center of the back but not all the way through to remove the veins.
3. Trim the base of the Straw mushroom stalks.
4. Rinse the mushroom in cold water and dry them with paper towels.
5. Cut the mushrooms in half lengthwise.
6. Boil water and add Tom Yum Paste, lemon glass, kaffir lime leaves.
7. Season with fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice.
8. Then, drop shrimp in and cook for 3 minutes.
9. Add straw mushrooms and cook for 30 seconds.
10. Turn the heat off and serve.
11. Garnish with red hot chili peppers and some cilantro leaves.

Makes 6 servings.