A wonderfully warming noodle soup, with fragrant spices and a little heat all balanced with rich coconut milk.
Ingredients
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1 good knob fresh root ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
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1-2 red chillies, seeds removed (optional), roughly chopped
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1-2 stalks lemongrass, tough outer layers removed, roughly chopped
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2-3 garlic cloves, peeled
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1 handful fresh coriander, a few sprigs reserved and chopped
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a glug or two vegetable oil
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1 tbsp coriander seeds
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1-2 pinches ground turmeric
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small jug vegetable stock
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a couple of handfuls rice noodles
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1 x 400ml/14fl oz can coconut milk
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1 large handful raw, peeled tiger prawns (the shells and heads can be reserved for making stock in another recipe)
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a few splashes Thai fish sauce, to taste
Preparation method
- Blend the ginger, chilli, lemongrass, garlic and coriander in a food processor until quite finely chopped, adding a little vegetable oil if the paste is too dry.
- Add the paste to a large shallow pan and cook for a few minutes to release the aromas, stirring frequently. Roughly crush some coriander seeds with a pestle and mortar and add to the paste with a pinch or two of turmeric and the vegetable stock and simmer for a few minutes.
- Meanwhile, pour some boiling water over the rice noodles in a bowl and let them sit until they have softened, about 4-5 minutes, then drain and set aside.
- To soften the heat of the sauce, add the coconut milk to the pan and bring back to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes while you devein the prawns by cutting along the back of the prawn with a small sharp knife and removing the black ‘thread’ using the point of the knife. Add the prawns to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until pink and tender, finishing off with splashes of Thai fish sauce, to taste, and more chopped fresh coriander, to your taste.
- To serve, divide the drained noodles between two bowls and ladle over the aromatic soup with the prawns and serve straightaway. Chicken, scallops or mushrooms are a great alternative to the prawns.
Source: https://www.bbc.co.uk
