California Tom Yum Soup

Ingredients

• 8 cups of water
• 2 large roma tomato , or 20 cherry tomatoes , or mix
• 2 dried guajillo chile peppers, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons palm, muscovado or brown sugar
• 1 quantity of Tom Yum Paste*
• 8 – 12 ounces mixed mushrooms
• splash of shoyu or soy sauce, to taste
• 1/3 cup fresh lime juice, or to taste
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro in each bowl, for serving
• To serve: Serve on its own with lime wedges, or with steamed rice, and warm tofu. Bonus points for a drizzle of lemon olive oil, or lime oil for serving, and roasted cherry tomatoes.

Directions

1. Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan, add the raw tomato, guajillo chile, and sugar. Simmer for a few minutes, until the tomato softens a bit, add the Tom Yum Paste*.
2. Allow to simmer for a minute or two, before adding the mushrooms. Simmer until tender, just a minute or two. Add a small splash of shoyu or soy sauce, and about half of the lime juice. Taste, and adjust with more of either, if needed. Place 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro in the base of each bowl, and top with the soup.