Dewi and Nurma's essay

Tom yam

          Thailand has many variations of traditional food which is popular in the world. One of the most popular foods is tom yam soup which is defined as a kind of Thai soup that is known for its broth which are both savory, spicy, and sour. In translation from its Thai name, tom yam soup is also sometimes spelled tom yam and dom yam. All of these spellings, it refers to the same dish. However, tom yam can be made easily.

          The first step of making Tom Yam soup is preparing fresh main ingredients such as I litre /2 pints of shrimp, 1 litre/ 2 pints of chicken, and so on (Cut and clean them). It is for 5-6 people. While some Thai restaurants in the West change this soup with some main ingredients. Depending on which type of ingredient is added to the soup, the name of the dish is modified. First, people call tom yam gai soup because it is made by chicken. Second, there is tom yam soup which made by prawns or shrimp, it is called by tom yam goong. Third, Thai also try to change the main ingredient with fish and seafood, they are tom yam pla and tom yam talay. The popular tom yam soup is tom yam khon. It is a version of the soup which is added by coconut milk to the broth. It is to add the taste more yummy.

Besides, the basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients like 16 button mushrooms, 6 sticks lemon grass, 6 kaffir lime leaves, 110g fresh galangals, 1 yellow onion, 1-2 limes, 75 ml of tamarind water, 5 tomatoes,8 chili peppers, two tablespoons, 1 tablespoon sugar, salt, and 9 tablespoon fish sauce. Tom yam spice may has different characteristics because it is made by fresh herb ingredients. Moreover, tom yam will be more savory if you add coconut milk.

          The second step of making tom yam soup is to crush galangals, chili and yellow onion. The next step is to drop the paste in a pot which contain 4 cups water and boil them for 5 minutes. Cut lemon grass into pieces about 5-6 inches long. Then, you drop main ingredients (shrimp, chicken, etc.), mushroom and lemon grass to the pot until they are ripe. After the process, we add sugar, salt, tamarind and fish sauce as much them as necessary to keep the salty, sour, hot, and sweet taste. You must mix the paste and cook completely. The final steps is addition tomato, kaffir lime leaves and limes for few a minute because tom yam is better when the tomato is medium ripe. Finally, you have to pour the soup into two bowls and top up with the hot stock. All of the steps in making tom yam need about twenty minutes. It is very easy food to be made.

           Tom yam soup has many benefits because it is made by herb ingredients. As we know that herb ingredients can be our health well. Moreover, we are able to try making tom yam at our home. Tom yam is simple food which has unique characteristic of taste.

          Nurma Daoh

Dewi Rositasari