Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup (Hot and Sour Soup)

Tom Yum Soup is a traditional dish of Thailand that is usually prepared with shrimp or chicken stock and other non-vegetarian ingredients, but this delicious version is 100% vegan. Feel free to add other vegetables to your soup to add more nutrients and flavors; you can chop up a few broccoli crowns and toss in the broccoli florets a few minutes before serving the soup.

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1 tbsp. garlic (minced fresh)
• 2 tsp. fresh minced ginger (or sliced galangal)
• Optional: 3 to 4 Thai chilies (seeded and finely diced)
• 6 cups vegetable stock
• 2 stalks lemongrass (peeled and chopped into 4-inch pieces)
• 2 to 3 whole makrut lime leaves
• 1 to 2 tsp. hot chili paste (read the label to make sure that all ingredients are vegetarian, plus more for garnishing)
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 2 tbsp. soy sauce
• 2 tbsp. lime juice (fresh)
• 1 cup mushrooms (fresh shitake or oyster mushrooms, sliced; if these aren't available, substitute crimini or button mushrooms)
• 1 12-ounce can straw mushrooms
• 1 cup fresh tomato (chopped)
• 1 lb. tofu (extra-firm, drained and pressed, then chopped into 1" cubes)
• Optional garnish: fresh cilantro
• Optional garnish: a few drops of chili paste