CREAMY PRAWNS TOM YAM

Tom yum or tom yam is a Lao and Thai, clear, spicy and sour soup. Tom yum is widely served in neighboring countries such as Cambodia, Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore, and has been popularized around the world. Literally, the words "tom yum" are derived from two Tai words: "tom" and "yam". "Tom" refers to boiling process, while "yam" refers to a kind of Lao and Thai spicy and sour salad. Thus, "tom yum" is a Lao and Thai hot and sour soup. Indeed, tom yum is characterized by its distinct hot and sour flavors, with fragrant herbs generously used in the broth. The basic broth is made of stock and fresh ingredients such as lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, lime juice, fish sauce, and crushed chili peppers.

Thank you very much to my dear friend who gave me this wonderful recipe and some of the coconuts pictures.

Creamy Prawn Tom Yam served in coconut bowl.

Wash and trim off the prawns feelers, marinate with 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper.

Fresh squid cut into biting size. Marinate with dash of pepper and pinch of salt.

Kaffir leaves, lemongrass, tomato, onion, bird eye chilli, garlic.

Tom Yam paste

 You can spice up your evening dinner with this creamy prawns tom yum.

Creamy Prawns Tom Yam
Ingredients
500 gm fresh prawn
250gm squid
1 canned button mushroom
1 packet tom yam paste
3 stalks lemongrass -cut into 3 sections
1 small bunch kaffir leaves
1 tomato - cut into wedges
1 medium size onion - slice thinly
2 cloves garlic - slice thinly
2 to 3 bird eyes chilli
1/2 in galangal - slice thinly
400 mls water
250 mls thick coconut milk
1 tbsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Coriander leaves - optional

You don't need to spent hours in the kitchen to impress your family, this creamy tom yum soup can be cook within 30 mins.

1/ Wash prawns and squid, marinate with salt and dash of pepper.
2/  Heat up the wok and add 2 tbsp cooking oil.
3/  Saute the garlic, onion, lemongrass until fragrant.
4/  Add the tom yam paste, mixed well. Add prawns and stir fry for 2 to 3 mins, add water and kaffir leaves.

Adjust the water to the creamy consistency that you require.

5/  Simmer until prawns turn pink. Add the squid, tomato, mushroom and coconut milk.
6/  Add salt to taste and simmer for 5 mins. Add lemon juice.
7/  Scoop out and serve in empty coconut shell and garnish with coriander leaves.

Flavorful tom yum soup, good to the last drop.

The many uses for coconuts.

Coconut plantation

Red dwarf coconuts

Refreshing coconut shake.
1 young coconut water and coconut fresh
2 scoop vanilla ice cream or cookies N cream flavor ice cream
1 cup ice cubes

1/ Put all the ingredients in the blender and blend for 3 to 4 mins. Pour into glass and serve immediately.

Plucking coconuts

Using trained monkeys to pluck coconuts.

Refreshing coconut water

Coconut Jelly

1 young coconut water ( 500mls )
Coconut fresh from 1 young coconut
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp agar agar powder
Pinch of salt

1/  Mix the coconut water with agar agar powder till well blend.
2/  Add sugar, salt and boil  the agar agar mixture until boil. Remove from heat and add the coconut fresh.
3/  Pour into the jelly cup and chill in fridge till set.

Refreshing melt in the mouth coconut jelly

Coconut oil

Scientific research on coconut oil has revealed health benefits that affect your entire body, inside and out.

You can use coconut oil for skincare and beauty care. Here are some out of the box uses for coconut oil

1/ Massage oil, Body moisturizer. Dry feet treatment. Elbow rub. Makeup remover.
For fade age spot - rub on affected areas daily.

2/  Body scrub - 1/2 part coconut oil - melted /  2 part cane sugar / 1 part kosher salt / vanilla extract / vitamin E oil / almond extract. Mix all together and adjust the dry and liquid ingredients to get your desire consistency.

3/  Facial scrub - combine coconut oil and Himalaya crystal salt till well blend and apply on face. Massage gently and leave it for 20 mins. Wash your face and pat dry.

4/  Cheekbone highlighter - apply a small amount of coconut oil over makeup.

Old days of scarping coconuts.

Scraping coconut

Hawaiian coconut bra

Tahiti dancer with coconut bra

Coconut bra

Have a great week ahead, Cheers!
Amelia