Tom yum with a vegetarian twist Add to ...

6 cups good-tasting vegetable stock

2 stalks lemongrass, top 4 inches removed

3 whole kaffir lime leaves (available fresh or frozen at Asian food stores)

4 coriander stems with roots attached

1-2 red bird's eye chilies, seeded and sliced

2 teaspoons slivered garlic

1 tablespoon slivered galangal or ginger

1 cup sliced shiitake mushrooms

2 cups soft tofu, diced

2 teaspoons brown sugar

2 to 3 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons lime juice

6 baby bok choy heads, leaves separated

1/4 cup Thai basil, roughly chopped

1/4 cup fresh coriander/cilantro, roughly chopped

Combine stock, lemongrass, lime leaves, coriander stems, chili chilies, garlic, and galangal or ginger in a soup pot and bring to boil over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and let simmer for 10 minutes or until broth is very fragrant.

Add mushrooms and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in tofu, sugar, fish sauce and lime juice, and simmer for 3 minutes or until soup is well flavoured. Adjust seasonings to taste. Add bok choy and simmer 2 minutes or until limp. Add basil and coriander.