Tom Yum - how to make it

Possibly one of my favourite soups ever. There is something very cleansing about this soup. I always feel fab the day after I have eaten it.
What you will need to make it:


1000ml water
6 sticks lemongrass, lightly crushed
4 fresh coriander roots, crushed
110g/4oz fresh galangal, peeled and sliced (available from Asian supermarkets)
8 tomatoes, cut into quarters, seeds removed
6 kaffir lime leaves
1-2 limes, juice only
3 red chillies, thinly sliced
75ml/3fl oz fish sauce (nam pla), or to taste
2 generous teaspoons of Tom Yum paste
approx 20 raw tiger prawns, shelled, gutted and split in half
Some people also add small chunks of chicken breast but I prefer not to

To serve


1 small bunch fresh coriander, leaves
1 small bunch fresh Thai basil if available or just use Italian basil
lime wedges