Tom Yum Goong, Chez Pim's Style

What happens when Rasa Malaysia tries 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. Now Pim, please forgive me for serving my Tom Yum Goong in a vase like the above. Hopefully this shot would do some justice to the famed Thai dish and your recipe. *wink* 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!