Kaffir Leaf Hot and Sour Prawn Soup

Kaffir Leaf Hot and Sour Prawn Soup
Start by making a simple stock with the shell from the shrimp.

Servings: 4	‹ Back to Soups & Stews
• 1 pound prawns or shrimp with shells • 4 cups fat-free chicken stock • 3 stalks lemon grass* • 3 tablespoons fish sauce • 1/4 cup lime juice • 2 tablespoons chopped green onion • 10 kaffir lime leaves, torn in half* • 1 cup straw mushrooms • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro • 4 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped • 2 green onions, chopped

Shell and devein the shrimp, reserving the shells. Rinse the shells and place them in a large saucepan with the chicken stock. Bruise the lemon grass stalks, and add them to the broth along with half of the lime leaves. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, and simmer gently until the lemon grass changes color, and the stock becomes fragrant, about 5 minutes. Strain the stock and return to the saucepan. Discard the solids.

Return the stock to a simmer, and add the mushrooms and shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are pink. Stir in the fish sauce, lime juice, 2 tablespoons green onion, cilantro, red chilies, and remaining lime leaves. Taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. The soup should be sour, a little salty, spicy and hot. Garnish with remaining green onions.

*Lemon grass and kaffir lime leaves may be found at an Asian specialty store.

Per Serving: 195 Calories; 4g Fat (14.9% calories from fat); 1g Saturated Fat; 35g Protein; 13g Carbohydrate; 1g Dietary Fiber; 174mg Cholesterol; 724mg Sodium. Exchanges: 4 1/2 Lean Meat; 1 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.