If you're a fan of Thai food and you're looking for a dish that will warm you up on a chilly day, look no further than seafood tom yum soup. This savoury and spicy soup is a staple of Thai cuisine, and it's a popular dish in Singapore as well. With its complex flavours and fresh ingredients, seafood tom yum soup is a delicious and healthy meal that you can enjoy any time of year.
To make seafood tom yum soup, you'll need a few key ingredients. These include lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, Thai chillies, fish sauce, and lime juice. You'll also need some fresh seafood, such as prawns, mussels, and squid. Once you have all of your ingredients, you can follow a step-by-step cooking guide to create a delicious pot of soup that will impress your friends and family.
When serving seafood tom yum soup, be sure to garnish it with fresh herbs and lime wedges. This will add an extra burst of flavour to the dish and make it look even more appetising. Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, seafood tom yum soup is a dish that you can master with a little bit of practice.
Key Ingredients for Seafood Tom Yum Soup
If you're looking to make a delicious seafood Tom Yum soup, you'll need to gather some essential ingredients. Here are the key ingredients that you'll need to make a tasty bowl of Tom Yum soup.
Seafood Selection
The first step in making a great Tom Yum soup is to choose the right seafood. You can use a variety of seafood options such as prawns, fish, squid, and clams. Make sure you select fresh seafood to ensure the best flavour. You can also use prawn shells to make a stock that will add depth of flavour to your soup.
Herbs and Spices
Tom Yum soup is known for its aromatic herbs and spices. The essential herbs and spices you'll need are lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chilli, garlic, Thai basil, and coriander. These herbs and spices add a unique flavour and aroma to the soup.
Sour and Spicy Elements
Tom Yum soup is famous for its sour and spicy taste. The sourness comes from lime juice, while the spiciness comes from Thai chilies. You can adjust the amount of lime juice and chilies to suit your taste. Fish sauce is also a key ingredient that adds saltiness and umami flavour to the soup.
Soup Base Essentials
To make the soup base, you'll need Tom Yum paste, chicken stock, water, and coconut milk or evaporated milk. You can use either coconut milk or evaporated milk to add a creamy texture to the soup. If you prefer a lighter soup, you can skip the milk and use only water and chicken stock.
In summary, the key ingredients for a delicious seafood Tom Yum soup are fresh seafood, aromatic herbs and spices, sour and spicy elements, and soup base essentials. By using these ingredients and adjusting them to your liking, you can make a bowl of Tom Yum soup that is perfect for your taste buds.
Step-by-Step Cooking Guide
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start cooking the Tom Yum Seafood Soup, make sure you have all the ingredients ready. This includes fresh prawns, fish slices, and squid. You will also need some clams to add to the soup.
Start by cleaning the seafood thoroughly. Remove the shells from the prawns and devein them. Cut the squid into rings and set aside.
Next, prepare the fragrant broth by chopping up some fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves. You can also use pre-made Tom Yum paste to save time.
Simmering the Soup
To make the clear Tom Yum soup, start by boiling some water in a pot. Add the chopped lemongrass, galangal, and kaffir lime leaves to the pot and let it simmer for a few minutes.
Next, add the Tom Yum paste to the pot and stir well. Let the mixture simmer for a few more minutes to allow the flavours to infuse into the broth.
Adding the Seafood
Once the broth is ready, it's time to add the seafood. Start by adding the prawns to the pot and let them cook for a few minutes.
Next, add the fish slices and squid rings to the pot. Let the seafood cook for a few more minutes until they are cooked through.
Finally, add the clams to the pot and let them cook until they open up. This is a sign that they are cooked and ready to eat.
Season the soup with some fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed to achieve the perfect balance of spicy, sour, and sweet flavours.
Serve the hot and fragrant Tom Yum Seafood Soup in bowls and enjoy!
Serving and Garnishing
Final Touches
Once your seafood tom yum soup is ready, it's time to add some final touches to make it look and taste even better. Start by removing the lemongrass, galangal, and lime leaves from the soup. These ingredients have done their job in infusing the soup with their aromatic flavours, but they are not meant to be eaten.
Next, add some sweetness to the soup by squeezing in some lime juice. This will also help to balance out the spiciness of the soup. You can adjust the amount of lime juice to your liking, but a good rule of thumb is to add the juice of one lime for every two servings of soup.
Accompaniments
Now that your soup is ready, it's time to serve it up with some accompaniments. Start by garnishing the soup with some chopped spring onions and parsley. These herbs will add some colour and freshness to the dish. You can also add some sliced chilli padi if you like your soup extra spicy.
Seafood tom yum soup is traditionally served with a side of rice. This helps to balance out the spiciness of the soup and makes for a more filling meal. You can also serve the soup with some condiments such as fish sauce, chilli flakes, or sugar. These condiments will allow you to adjust the flavour of the soup to your liking.
In conclusion, serving and garnishing your seafood tom yum soup is an important part of the overall experience. By adding some final touches and serving the soup with some accompaniments, you can elevate the dish and make it even more delicious.
Nutritional Information
If you are health conscious and want to know the nutritional value of seafood tom yum soup, you have come to the right place. Here's a breakdown of the nutritional information of the soup:
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Calories: One bowl of seafood tom yum soup contains approximately 285 calories. This makes it a low-calorie soup, which is great if you are watching your weight.
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Protein: The soup is high in protein, thanks to the seafood. It contains about 22g of protein per serving, which is essential for building and repairing muscles.
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Carbohydrates: The soup is low in carbohydrates, with only 7g per serving. This makes it a good option if you are on a low-carb diet.
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Cholesterol: The soup is relatively low in cholesterol, with only 19g per serving. This makes it a good option if you are watching your cholesterol levels.
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Sodium: The soup is high in sodium, with approximately 1600mg per serving. If you are on a low-sodium diet, you may want to limit your intake of this soup.
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Nutritional Value: Seafood tom yum soup is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for maintaining good health and preventing diseases.
Overall, seafood tom yum soup is a healthy and nutritious option if you are looking for a low-calorie, high-protein soup. However, if you are watching your sodium intake, you may want to limit your consumption of this soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the secret to a simple yet tasty seafood tom yum soup?
The secret to a simple yet tasty seafood tom yum soup is to use fresh ingredients and a good quality tom yum paste. You can also make your own homemade tom yum paste by blending together lemongrass, galangal, kaffir lime leaves, chillies, garlic, and shallots.
Can chicken be added to a seafood tom yum soup, and how?
Yes, chicken can be added to a seafood tom yum soup. Simply add the chicken to the soup along with the seafood and cook until the chicken is cooked through.
What are the key ingredients for an authentic Singaporean seafood tom yum soup?
The key ingredients for an authentic Singaporean seafood tom yum soup include prawns, squid, fish, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, chillies, garlic, shallots, fish sauce, lime juice, and sugar. Some variations may also include mushrooms and coconut milk.
How can I make a quick and easy tom yum soup at home?
To make a quick and easy tom yum soup at home, you can use a store-bought tom yum paste and add in your choice of seafood, vegetables, and herbs. Simply sauté the paste in a pot, add in the seafood and vegetables, and simmer until cooked through. Finish with a squeeze of lime juice and serve hot.
Is it common to add coconut milk to a tom yum seafood soup, and what does it change?
It is not common to add coconut milk to a tom yum seafood soup as it can change the flavour and texture of the soup. However, some variations of tom yum soup, such as tom kha talay, do include coconut milk for a creamier and milder flavour.
How does Tom Kha differ from Tom Yum soup in terms of flavour and ingredients?
Tom kha and tom yum soup are both popular Thai soups, but they differ in terms of flavour and ingredients. Tom kha is made with coconut milk, which gives it a creamy and sweet flavour, while tom yum is a clear broth with a sour and spicy flavour. Tom kha also includes galangal and is typically made with chicken, while tom yum includes lemongrass and is typically made with seafood.