What happens when I try too hard to be out-of-the-box creative in food presentation?
You get–without sounding cruel and insensitive–a sea of drowning, struggling, and limping fresh water prawns crying out loud for “HELP!” such as this. Sad, very sad. (Mind you, I am not proud of this shot, but to amuse you, I thought I would share my sin with you.)
The fiasco started with a vase. Yes, v-a-s-e, VASE or also known as “a vessel, as of glass, porcelain, earthenware, or metal, used chiefly to hold cut flowers or decoration” according to Dictionary.com. It sure didn’t say a thing about serving food. What was I thinking?!
Anyway, back to the topic of Tom Yum Goong. I love Tom Yum Goong (who doesn’t love it?), so when it comes to making it at home, I only have one source to turn to–Chez Pim.
Pim’s recipe is every bit authentic and original. Hot, sour, salty, sweet–the principal tastes of Thai’s cooking–are evident in this dish. It was spicy, addictive, and utterly satisfying; I simply couldn’t stop sipping the soup. Click here to check out Pim’s post and her secret recipe which she learned from her aunt.
Cook’s notes:
- I used frozen fresh water prawns for this recipe; they are commonly used for Tom Yum Goong in Thailand.
- Fresh water prawns have really creamy heads. They infuse the soup with prawny goodness.
EDITED: September 19, 2007
I am not sure how some of you found out, but yes, today is my birthday. 9-19. Easy to remember! Other than your kind birthday wishes, I welcome all sorts of bribe–good old cash (British Pounds and EUROS preferred) or any gifts such as the following:
- A vacation to any or ALL of these locales: Maldives, Bora Bora/Tahiti, Fiji, or Seychelles. By the way, I only stay in overwater bungalows or private villas with full butler service and a private plunge pool.
- A round-the-world trip in a private jet will do, too.
- Chloe and/or Mulberry leather goods
- A Patek Philippe watch
- A new BMW hard-top convertible, Turbo PLEASE!
See, I am really not that greedy.
You know I am joking right? LOL!
Anyway, thanks for the birthday wishes I’ve already received. You guys are the best!
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{ 43 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve never tried this, though I’ve seen it at some Thai restaurants here in Osaka. Will have to give it a go.
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look scrumptious bee!!! i have been craving for a bowl of tom yum goong for some time.
btw, wishing you a blessed birthday! may more seafood lands on your feet (so that we get to drool over them).
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when do you come to europe by the way ^^??? beautiful, like always….and what about the pictures…^^! cheers
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haha! I can relate to you completely when it comes to photo taking. I usually spent way too much time on it, changing props, tilting the camera here and there, just to get a good shot. By the time I finish taking photos, the food has already turned cold!
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Okay, I immediately went to Pim’s site to check out the ingredients. Tom Yum goong is my favorite soup , bar-none. I would love making this from scratch. The only ingredient I might not find immediately are Kaffir Lime Leaves. I did buy a bunch earlier this year, dried them for a bit and froze them – do you think they would still be any good? Laughed at the pic of the drowning shrimp, the hubby thinks I’m strange when I do goofy stuff with my food.
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This is my wife’s favorite with tom ka gai. Needless to say that now I have no excuse not to cook this dish.
By the way, happy birthday to you (it’s today right?).
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Cute and funny pics Rasa. If you didn’t tell us that was a vase, I wouldn’t have been able to tell otherwise;)
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hahaha hippo-bird-day, i like your style!!
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When we savor the creamy HEADS of prawns and get all the prawny goodness, it’s not hard to find out your B-day :P ….more HEADS are better than one mah! LOL!
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hi dear ;
Happy birthday to you ! wishing you all the best and forever young !
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As they say in Seychelles: Bon anniversaire! Hope it’s a wonderful day.
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Happy Birthday, dear friend. May fair winds forever blow your way and all your wishes come true.
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hau’oli lahanau, e Bee!
Aloha.
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Happy Birthday! to YOOOOOOO
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Happy Birthday!
Your list of gift so short only? :-)
Ah.. Another September baby too!
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Hi RM! Happy Birthday! Hope you had a great time with family and friends. I had the BEST tom yum goong recently during my vacation in Chiang Mai. It was a little different from all the tom yum goongs I’ve ever tasted. It had a little coconut cream in it and oh did it hit the spot!
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Hehe – that’s a hilarious shot! Poor prawn. Well, at least he was put to good use ;-)
And Happy Birthday!
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a bit late but nonetheless– happy belated bday!!! ^_^
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belated birthday wish to you, BY.
ayoh. you shouldn’t have posted the pathetic looking prawn picture with the word ‘help, i’m drowning’ lah. you know i love prawns. it will made me feel so guilty the next time i want to eat prawns.
something funny to share. the very first time i ate lobster in a restaurant for dinner (i picked the lobster live from an acquarium) – after i got home, slept… and i dreamnt of lobsters chasing me! lol!
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bee, sorry no Sychelles this time. they are fully booked. You’ll have to settle for Ali’s guest house in Batu Feringhi. Happy 21st b’day ;)
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Happy belated birthday…
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Happy Birthday…and your post was so funny,but I confess sometimes I had the same problem. Cheers
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Tom Yum in a Vase! Hehehe…yumzz, give me tomyum anytime, anywhere!
Oh yah…Happy Belated Birthday :)
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Happy birthday, and no need to apologize for that photo–I love it!
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Happy birthday from Singapore.
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Happy Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday!!!!
BIG KISS!!
Love the drowning prawn…help! he needs more hot sauce!
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happy belated birthday! What a great looking dish.. and despite what u said about the vase, i think the next picture turned out great! This looks really yummy and spicy too. Perfect for a cold day.
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I happen to loooove the first pic in the vase… I’m sure that little fellow was delicious!
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Hmm.. I can get you a trip to New Orleans! The beau will be the butler, if you are interested! ;) Happy birthday, I hope you had a fantastic one!
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Your birthday?!
HaPpY BiRtHdAy!!!!!!
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K&S – Tom Yum Goong is very good, you should totally try it out.
Babe – thanks for your b-day wishes.
Claude – I know you love Thai food, now you can try Chez Pim’s recipe. :)
Piggy – tell me about it. I spent way too much time on food photography sometimes I think I am such a dork. I tend to shoot the picture from various angles…haha.
Veron – I left a comment on your site, hopefully you will cook your tom yum goong soon. :)
Laurent – thanks! I love tom ka gai too.
Marvin – it is a vase. :P
Aria – thanks. You like my style? Hehe.
Tiga – yes, more heads are better for this tom yum goong. Creamier.
Pearly – thanks so much for your kind wishes. :)
Chip – thanks…wow, sounds like you have been to Seychelles, I am jealous.
Cynthia – thanks so much for your wishes. You are always so sweet. :)
Nate 2.0 – wow, in Hawaii, it sounds so much more sexier and exotic. I like it. :)
Kyunying – thanks.
Keropok – Thanks. yeah, longer list doesn’t mean anything. Shorter and expensive is good.
Whahahah.
For the love of food – Wow, you went to Chiang Mai, that is so nice. I haven’t been there yet, would love to go. Thanks for your wishes.
Wok and Spoon – yes, poor prawns.
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Jun – better than be late than never…thanks for your wishes.
Lucia – don’t feel guilty about eating prawns…the picture is to amuse you. LOL, the lobster nightmare of yours sounds very funny. Thanks for your wishes.
Alex – hah, I love Ali’s guest house actually. I used to own a house across from Golden Sands, Eden’s development, but sold it last year. Despite the fact that the water and beaches are really not the best, I still love the vibe. It’s just so relaxing, plus some very good food in the area. :)
Andaliman – terima kasih banyak banyak. :)
Sylvia – haha, I am happy you think it’s a funny post.
Precious Pea – haha…it’s really not that easy to sip that tom yum soup from that vase, trust me and thanks for your wishes.
Homesick Texan – LOL. Thanks for loving the picture…I thought it is really sad looking.
Singairishgirl – thanks from the US of A. :)
Steamy – pick up your phone girl. ;)
Daphne – yes, this is great for any days I think, warm or cold.
Brilynn – hehe, it was delicious. :P
PE – No Bora Bora? Well, I think I will settle for New Orleans, plus I know they have killer seafood there so I am so there. And thanks for your wishes. ;)
Cindy – yes, thank you. :)
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Wishing you happy belated b’day! Hope you had a lovely day:)
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happy belated birthday, bee yin!!! :D
da prawn is calling me….. oh my… looks so delicious! O_o
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Let me save you from the soup… you can come to mommy.. come to my mouth. You’ll be save in my tummy.
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Happy Birthday!!!!
The BMW convertible is in the mail.
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I love tom yum. I actually don’t mind the vase either!
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*chokes* …Patek Phillipe.. Hahah ;) Hope you had a good one Bee!
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Rasa:
This is certainly an enjoyable blog. I laughed a lot when I saw the prawn pic. There are certainly many good pics, and the recipes look very interesting too. I will enjoy reading more of your blog.
Richard
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HBD in later.
that’s good idea. u can appy with this Thai Tom Yum Goong at
http://www.thai-food.co.cc
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That picture made me laugh a lot!
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Thanks, Bee
I made one already
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