Hot and Sour Prawn Soup

The credit for this recipe goes to Gordon Ramsay. Say what you will about the man, but he can cook.

You'll need:

2 qts. chicken stock (see the recipe on this blog)
2 oz. fresh ginger peeled and cut into strips
2 stalks lemongrass
1 fresh cayenne pepper, cut into half lengthwise
Juice of 1 lime
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. sea salt
2 - 3 Tbsp. fish sauce
Fresh cracked pepper to taste
1/2 lb. fresh shrimp
2 c. white button mushrooms
1/2 c. fresh cilantro (coriander if you're outside of the US)

Bring the stock to a boil and then take it off the heat. Add in everything but the shrimp and mushrooms and let infuse for 15 - 20 minutes. Strain and then add in the shrimp, mushrooms, and coriander (or cilantro). The shrimp will cook in the still-hot stock and you want the mushrooms a bit firm. Serve and enjoy.

~David

Postscript: I added onion to a recent batch for extra good nominess. :)