Thai Nightmarket Shrimp and Rice Soup

I was wandering the streets of Bangkok at 3 AM when came across the midnight market, where I tasted a dish so heavenly it was worthy of the name of where it came. Krung Thep, City of Angels actually has the longest name of any city in the world ,   "Krung-thep-maha-nakorn-boworn-ratana-kosin-mahintar- ayudhya-amaha-dilok-pop-nopa-ratana-rajthani-burirom-udom-rajniwes-mahasat-arn-amorn-pimarn- avatar-satit- sakattiya-visanukam" 

As  bad of a rap the capital city gets for it's after hours activities, the true joy lies in the night market, where the hustle bustle of  spice vendors, fish mongers and meat markets are a food lovers paradise.   Make shift seating areas, alongside street carts, line the alleys.  As people actively shop for goods,  these provide an oasis to slurp down a dish of noodles, nibble away on a  grilled prawn or enjoy a hot bowl of Thai Rice Shrimp Soup ( Tom Yam Khao) .  Now the concept of breakfast for dinner is reversed here where its dinner for breakfast, well if you eat breakfast at 3 AM, but having soup for breakfast is common in Asia.  Whatever the time,  this meal always hits the spot.  This dish is  fragrant with a blend of galangal, lemon grass, garlic and chili and shrimp, is cut perfectly with tangy citrus and crisp Thai basil.  The complexities of  Thailand, the country of smiles,  are truly expressed in its cuisine.  

Shrimp  Stock

1 Lb shrimp

3 stalks lemongrass

1 bunch cilantro

1 inch galangal, minced

4 cloves of  garlic

juice of 2 limes

4 kafir lime leaves

1 medium onion

4 quarts water

2 tblsp sugar

5 green chilies

1/4 cup  soy  sauce

1/8 cup fish sauce

Remove heads and shells of shrimp leaving tails intact. 

In a large stock pot add heads and shells of shrimp to boiling water.   Add  all  other ingredients except shrimp meat and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer  for another 30 minutes,  strain  and  you have shrimp stock.

Add 1 cup jasmine rice and simmer  till  cooked

In  a  separate pan heat oil.  Add  1 clove garlic,  1 scallion,  3 dashes soy sauce and shrimp meat.  stir fry till done.

Add shrimp and garnish with  more scallion, cilantro, lime, chili and basil  leaves.  

Add 1 raw egg to broth, and let it poach.