Liver & Seafood Tom Yum

Tom yum is a hot and sour Thai soup, usually cooked with shrimp. The words “tom yum” are derived from two Thai words. Tom refers to the boiling process, while yum means ‘mixed’.

This version of Tom Yum by Camilla Caton, who topped the nutrient density leaderboard for our first two challenges, takes it up a nutrient density notch with liver, abalone, clams and octopus.  If you can’t get all these ingredients, it doesn’t matter too much; you can just use whatever you have available and throw it in a big pot.  

Liver adds tons of bioavailable protein along with copper, zinc, iron, choline and vitamins A, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12.  Abalone, clams and octopus bring more protein, choline, vitamins B5, B12 and E, as well as iron, phosphorus and selenium, while the veggies fill in the folate, vitamins C, D and K1, potassium and copper, while the tom yum paste and spices bring the Thia flavour.   

Scorecard

Macros 

One serving provides 765 calories, 102 g of protein, 17 g of fat, and 41 g of net carbs.

Micros  

The Cronometer screengrab below shows the nutrients provided by 2000 calories of this recipe relative to the Optimal Nutrient Intakes.  

Ingredients 

SERVES 4

  • 400 g (14 oz) beef liver
  • 4 tbsp tom yum Paste
  • 3 tbsp ginger root
  • 4 cloves garlic 
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 2 L tap water
  • 3 cups coconut milk, unsweetened
  • 700 g (24 oz) molluscs, abalone, mixed species
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) octopus or shrimp
  • 400 g (14 oz) clams
  • 100 g (3.5) spinach
  • 1 cup bamboo shoots, canned and drained
  • 2 cups enoki mushrooms, sliced
  • 290 g (10.2 oz) mushrooms, sliced
  • 450 g (15.7 oz) broccoli, cut into florets
  • 400 g (14 oz) cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 100 g (3.5 oz) snow peas
  • 1 cup green beans, cut into 2 cm pieces

Directions 

  • Heat a big pot to medium heat, add a scant amount of fat and brown the liver on both sides.
  • Add the ginger, garlic and Tom Yum Paste, and stir.
  • Add the salt, water and coconut milk. Bring to a boil, then turn it down low and add the fish and seafood. Simmer gently for 10 minutes.
  • Add the remaining veggies and simmer for five more minutes.

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