How to Prepare Vietnamese Shrimp and Noodle Soup

A good rich soup from Vietnam – the shrimp and noodle soup.

Serves: 4; Preparation time: 10 minutes; Cooking time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces rice noodles – cooked according to packet instructions
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/2 tsp black peppercorns
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 Tbsp minced ginger rooyt
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/2 Tbsp garlic and chili paste
• 2 strips lemon peel
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tsp Hoisin sauce
• freshly squeezed lime juice
• 8 cups bok choy – roughly chopped and stems removed
• 1 lb shrimp
• 1 yellow onion thinly sliced for serving
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp cilantro or coriander leaves
• serving with 1 lemon wedge for each eater

Preparation:

1. Heat a pan on medium heat and add the coriander seeds and peppercorns and toast for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add to a mortar. Pound with a pestle.
2. Place the spice pieces in a bowl and blend with the ground cloves. Leave to one side.
3. In a saucepan, heat on a medium level. Add the sesame seed oil, then and ginger and cook for just 30 seconds with continuous mixing.
4. Bring to a boil and add the shrimp and bok choy and cook for 4 minutes only.
5. Add pepper and salt and continue to cook for a further 2 minutes.
6. Divide the cooked noodles into 4 dishes. Pour in the soup, add cilantro as the garnish, add some onion cuts and place a lemon wedge on each dish