Tom Yum Pasta Recipe

Spaghetti or linguine pasta: The base of the dish, providing the classic pasta texture.

Tom yum paste: A spicy and sour Thai paste that forms the core flavor of the dish.

Shrimp: Adds protein and a seafood element to the pasta.

Coconut milk: Provides a creamy texture and balances the spiciness.

Chicken broth: Enhances the flavor and adds depth to the sauce.

Lemongrass: Adds a citrusy aroma and flavor, essential for authentic tom yum.

Kaffir lime leaves: Imparts a unique, fragrant citrus flavor.

Bird's eye chilies: Adds heat and spice to the dish.

Tomato: Adds a slight tanginess and freshness.

Onion: Provides a sweet and savory base flavor.

Fish sauce: Adds umami and saltiness to the dish.

Lime juice: Adds acidity and freshness, balancing the flavors.

Sugar: Balances the flavors by adding a touch of sweetness.

Cooking oil: Used to sauté the ingredients and bring out their flavors.

When cooking shrimp, make sure to add them to the pan only after the coconut milk and chicken broth have come to a boil. This ensures that the shrimp cook evenly and remain tender. Overcooking shrimp can make them tough and rubbery, so keep an eye on them and remove from heat as soon as they turn pink.

• spaghetti - Substitute with rice noodles: Rice noodles provide a similar texture and are more commonly used in Southeast Asian cuisine, aligning with the flavors of tom yum.

• tom yum paste - Substitute with red curry paste: Red curry paste can mimic the spicy and aromatic profile of tom yum paste, though it may lack some of the specific citrus notes.

• shrimp - Substitute with chicken breast: Chicken breast is a versatile protein that can absorb the flavors of the dish well, making it a good alternative to shrimp.

• coconut milk - Substitute with evaporated milk: Evaporated milk provides a creamy texture similar to coconut milk, though it will lack the coconut flavor.

• chicken broth - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can provide a similar savory base while keeping the dish vegetarian-friendly.

• lemongrass stalk - Substitute with lemon zest: Lemon zest can provide a citrusy aroma similar to lemongrass, though it won't have the same depth of flavor.

• kaffir lime leaves - Substitute with lime zest: Lime zest can offer a similar citrusy note, though it won't have the same unique fragrance as kaffir lime leaves.

• bird's eye chilies - Substitute with jalapeños: Jalapeños can provide a similar level of heat, though they are less spicy than bird's eye chilies.

• tomato - Substitute with cherry tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can offer a similar burst of acidity and sweetness as tomato.

• onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots provide a milder, sweeter flavor compared to onion, making them a good alternative.

• fish sauce - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can provide a similar umami flavor, though it lacks the fishy undertones of fish sauce.

• lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice can offer a similar acidity and brightness as lime juice.

• sugar - Substitute with honey: Honey can provide a similar sweetness with an added depth of flavor compared to sugar.

• cooking oil - Substitute with olive oil: Olive oil can be used as a versatile cooking oil, though it has a more distinct flavor compared to neutral cooking oil.

• Allow the tom yum pasta to cool completely before storing. This helps prevent condensation, which can make the pasta soggy.

• Transfer the pasta to an airtight container. Make sure the container is large enough to avoid squishing the shrimp and other delicate ingredients.

• If you plan to store the pasta for more than a day, consider separating the sauce from the pasta. This prevents the pasta from absorbing too much sauce and becoming mushy.

• Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness. The tom yum pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• For freezing, portion the pasta into individual servings. This makes it easier to reheat only what you need.

• Use freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Squeeze out as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn.

• Label the containers or bags with the date and contents. The tom yum pasta can be frozen for up to 2 months.

• To reheat, thaw the pasta in the refrigerator overnight. If you're in a hurry, you can use the defrost setting on your microwave.

• Reheat the pasta on the stovetop over medium heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or coconut milk to revive the sauce. Stir gently to avoid breaking the shrimp.

• Alternatively, you can reheat in the microwave. Place the pasta in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring in between, until heated through.

• For stovetop reheating:

  1. Add a splash of chicken broth or coconut milk to a pan.
  2. Heat the pan over medium heat.
  3. Add the leftover Tom Yum Pasta and stir occasionally.
  4. Cook until the shrimp and pasta are heated through, about 5-7 minutes.

• For microwave reheating:

  1. Place the Tom Yum Pasta in a microwave-safe dish.
  2. Add a small amount of chicken broth or coconut milk to keep it moist.
  3. Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap.
  4. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through.
  5. Check if it's heated through; if not, continue heating in 30-second intervals.

• For oven reheating:

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Tom Yum Pasta in an oven-safe dish.
  3. Add a bit of chicken broth or coconut milk to prevent drying out.
  4. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
  5. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.

• For air fryer reheating:

  1. Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Place the Tom Yum Pasta in an air fryer-safe dish.
  3. Add a splash of chicken broth or coconut milk.
  4. Heat for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure even heating.

• Pot: Used to cook the pasta according to the package instructions.

• Colander: Used to drain the cooked pasta.

• Pan: Used to heat the oil and cook the ingredients for the sauce.

• Wooden spoon: Used to stir the ingredients while cooking.

• Knife: Used to slice the lemongrass, bird's eye chilies, tomato, and onion.

• Cutting board: Used as a surface to cut the ingredients.

• Measuring spoons: Used to measure the tom yum paste, fish sauce, lime juice, sugar, and cooking oil.

• Measuring cup: Used to measure the coconut milk and chicken broth.

• Tongs: Used to toss the cooked pasta in the sauce.

• Serving bowl: Used to serve the finished dish hot.

Pre-cook the pasta: Cook the spaghetti or linguine ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This way, you can quickly toss it into the sauce when ready.

Use pre-made tom yum paste: Save time by using store-bought tom yum paste instead of making it from scratch.

Prep ingredients in advance: Chop the lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chilies, onion, and tomato beforehand to streamline the cooking process.

Quick shrimp prep: Buy peeled and deveined shrimp to eliminate the need for extra prep work.