Hot And Sour Soup (Nigella Lawson) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

6 1/2 cups chicken stock
1 tablespoon tom yam hot and sour paste
4 fresh lime leaves, finely chopped (optional)
1 stalk lemongrass, bottom, inner part only, roughly chopped
1 lime, juiced
4 tablespoons fish sauce (nam pla)
2 -3 small fresh red chilies, finely chopped
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, quartered
1 lb peeled raw shrimp
5 small scallions, sliced thin
1 bunch cilantro, leaves chopped

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, heat chicken stock, tom yam paste, lime leaves, lemon grass, lime juice, fish sauce, chiles, and sugar. Once it has come to a boil, add mushrooms and simmer for 2 minutes. Add shrimp and scallions and cook for 2 to 3 minutes allowing the shrimp to cook but still be tender. Sprinkle with cilantro and serve immediately. Place extra cilantro on the table for people to add more.