{"id":"recipe_0316fa9fe6","slug":"tom-som-pla-thai-ginger-and-tamarind-fish-soup","title":"Tom Som Pla (Thai Ginger and Tamarind Fish Soup)","description":"A classic Southeast Asian soup known for its refreshing profile of sweet, sour, and savory flavors, perfectly balanced with julienned ginger and tender fish.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"500g Sea Bass, cut into chunks","name":"Sea Bass","quantity":500,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.1,"usUnit":"lb","form":"chunks","notes":"can substitute with mullet or tilapia","group":"Main","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"800ml Water","name":"Water","quantity":800,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"3 1/3","usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"","group":"Soup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"50g Ginger, julienned","name":"Ginger","quantity":50,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1.8,"usUnit":"oz","form":"julienned","notes":"fresh ginger is essential","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"5 Shallots","name":"Shallots","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"peeled","notes":"small red shallots preferred","group":"Paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"1 tsp White Peppercorns","name":"White Peppercorns","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"whole","notes":"to be crushed","group":"Paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"1 tsp Shrimp Paste","name":"Shrimp Paste","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"paste","notes":"Kapi","group":"Paste","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"3 tbsp Tamarind Paste","name":"Tamarind Paste","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"paste","notes":"adjust to taste for sourness","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"2 tbsp Palm Sugar","name":"Palm Sugar","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"crushed","notes":"or coconut sugar","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"3 tbsp Fish Sauce","name":"Fish Sauce","quantity":45,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"tbsp","form":"liquid","notes":"adjust to taste for saltiness","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 Spring Onions, chopped","name":"Spring Onions","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"chopped","notes":"","group":"Garnish","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-11","original":"1 bunch Coriander","name":"Coriander","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"fresh","notes":"leaves and stems","group":"Garnish","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Using a mortar and pestle, pound the white peppercorns until fine. Add the shallots and shrimp paste, and pound together until you have a coarse paste.","group":"Preparation","title":"Using a mortar and pestle, pound the white peppercorns","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"In a pot, bring the water to a boil (100°C / 212°F). Add the prepared paste and stir until dissolved.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bring the water to a boil","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Season the broth with tamarind paste, palm sugar, and fish sauce. Stir well and let it simmer for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.","group":"Cooking","title":"Season the broth","timerMinutes":3,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Add the julienned ginger and the fish chunks to the boiling soup. Do not stir. Let it simmer until the fish is cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Add the julienned ginger and the fish chunks","timerMinutes":7,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Turn off the heat and stir in the chopped spring onions and coriander.","group":"Finishing","title":"Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"}],"notes":"The key to a good Tom Som is the balance of three flavors: the sourness from tamarind, sweetness from palm sugar, and saltiness from fish sauce. Do not stir the fish after adding it to the boiling broth to prevent any fishy aroma.","cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["soup"],"cookingMethod":["boil","simmer"],"equipment":["mortar and pestle","large pot","knife"],"diet":["high_protein","pescatarian","dairy_free","gluten_free","low_fat"],"allergens":["fish","shellfish"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2,"unit":"bowl","note":"Serves two people as a main or four as part of a multi-dish meal"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The paste can be made 1 day in advance. The soup is best served fresh as fish becomes tough if reheated multiple times."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat gently over low heat.","reheatingNotes":"Do not boil aggressively when reheating to avoid breaking the fish pieces."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_0316fa9fe6%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=e7f24ff7-29de-4c49-9102-430822fa03b1","imageAlt":"Tom Som Pla (Thai Ginger and Tamarind Fish Soup) — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["thai food","fish soup","healthy","sour soup","ginger"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Tom Som Pla (Thai Ginger and Tamarind Fish Soup)","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T21:27:18.309Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T21:27:18.309Z","related":[{"id":"laksa_f56760c1ba","slug":"classic-singaporean-curry-laksa","title":"Classic Singaporean Curry Laksa","description":"A fragrant, rich, and spicy coconut-based noodle soup featuring succulent shrimp, absorbent tofu puffs, and silky rice noodles. This iconic Southeast Asian dish balances heat with creamy coconut milk and fresh herbs.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Singaporean","Malaysian"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"medium","diet":["high_protein","pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flaksa_f56760c1ba%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=9c29baeb-213c-4803-abc3-c8e259310bc9","imageAlt":"Classic Singaporean Curry Laksa — recipe cover","tags":["spicy","coconut","noodles","shrimp","southeast asian","comfort food","seafood"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":10,"stepCount":5},{"id":"recipe_92ec1423a8","slug":"gaeng-jued-thai-clear-soup","title":"Gaeng Jued (Thai Clear Soup)","description":"A comforting and light Thai clear soup featuring savory minced pork, silky egg tofu, and fresh vegetables in a fragrant aromatic broth.","serves":3,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","low_carb"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_92ec1423a8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=7ebf2ec1-7043-40b9-bdfa-dfc2e915dc0b","imageAlt":"Gaeng Jued (Thai Clear Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["healthy","low-calorie","comfort food","thai soup","clear soup","pork","tofu"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":7},{"id":"recipe_f3c80a21f8","slug":"tom-kha-gai-thai-coconut-chicken-soup","title":"Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup)","description":"A silky, aromatic Thai soup that perfectly balances creamy coconut milk with the citrusy punch of galangal, lemongrass, and lime.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":15,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Southeast Asian","specific":["Thai"]},"course":["soup"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["high_protein","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Frecipe_f3c80a21f8%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=05294d26-7273-4df6-bb02-9d3602a02c14","imageAlt":"Tom Kha Gai (Thai Coconut Chicken Soup) — recipe cover","tags":["thai","coconut","soup","chicken","spicy","fragrant","healthy","high protein"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":12,"stepCount":5}]}