Hot And Sour Thai Style Shrimp, Tofu and Veggie Soup

Ingredients

• 8
  
  large shrimp, shell removed and set aside
  
• 3
  
  tablespoons tamarind, from a block of tamarind
  
• .25
  
  cups rice vinegar
  
• 1
  
  4 inch long piece, peeled, smashed and cut into thick slices
  
• 2
  
  stalks lemongrass, outer layers peeled and discarded, bottom ends removed, remaining stalk smashed and cut into 2 inch pieces
  
• 3
  
  lime leaf, finely sliced
  
• 6
  
  tablespoons fish sauce
  
• 4
  
  tablespoons sugar
  
• 5
  
  roasted garlic clove
  
• 1
  
  habanero, cut in half, stalk removed.
  
• 1
  
  long horn pepper, cut into half inch pieces
  
• 1
  
  zucchini, cut into large cubes
  
• 2
  
  plum tomato, cut into large cubes
  
• 1
  
  cup king oyster mushroom, cut into half inch slices
  
• .5
  
  cups red bell pepper, cut into 1 inch batons
  
• 18
  
  ounces soft tofu, block cut into large cubes
  
• 
  
  sprigs of cilantro or thai basil for garnish, optional
  

Directions

1. Add 5 cups of water into a stockpot. Add the reserved shrimp shells into pot. Bring to a simmer for 6 minutes. Remove the shells and discard.
2. Maintain the broth at low simmer and begin adding all of the ingredients into the pot starting with the flavoring agents (tamarind, ginger, rice vinegar, fish sauce, sugar, lime leaf, lemongrass, garlic), followed by the peppers (habanero and long horn) and then the vegetables (zucchini, tomato, mushroom, red bell pepper). Simmer for a total of 10 minutes and add the shrimp and tofu in the final 3 minutes of cooking. Remove lemongrass, tamarind and ginger pieces. Taste the broth and adjust seasoning to your liking. The sweet and sour should taste balanced.
3. Garnish the soup with a couple of sprigs of cilantro or Thai basil if you like. Serve immediately.