Clare Ferguson's Spicy Thai chicken soup

iVillage rooster This must be one of the world’s best-loved soups – utterly superb. Fresh lemongrass, galangal (like fresh ginger, but crisper, more medicinal), kaffir lime leaves and fiery bird’s eye chillies will require a visit to a Thai or Chinese grocer or supermarket. Powdered substitutes will not do. Buy extra of these fresh ingredients and freeze for later. Do not use cooked prawns: the texture will be disappointing.

Serves 4: Makes 1.5 litres

1.25 litres boiling chicken stock, preferably home-made
350g boneless, skinless chicken breasts, finely sliced
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, halved lengthways
3 tbsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla) or light soy sauce
3cm fresh ginger, peeled and grated
3cm fresh galangal, peeled and sliced (optional)
8 small spring onions, quartered
50g creamed coconut, chopped
4 fresh kaffir lime leaves, crushed (optional)
2 green bird’s eye chillies, crushed
a large handful of fresh coriander leaves, torn
250g uncooked tiger prawns, tails only, peeled or unpeeled
freshly squeezed juice of 2 limes

Put the stock in a large saucepan and bring to the boil. Add the chicken, garlic, lemongrass, fish sauce, ginger, galangal, if using, spring onions and creamed coconut. Return to the boil, part-cover, reduce the heat to a high simmer and cook for 5 minutes. Add the kaffir lime leaves, if using, the chillies, half the coriander and the prawns. Simmer gently for 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the prawn flesh is densely white – do not overcook or the prawns will be tough. Add the lime juice and serve in heated soup bowls, topped with the remaining coriander leaves.

NOTE: remove the chillies before drinking the soup: they are fiery, but leaving them whole and merely crushing them releases a gentle, not violent heat.

Source: Chicken from Maryland to Kiev by Clare Ferguson (Ryland, Peters & Small, £16.99)

More chicken recipes from Clare Ferguson:
Chicken Pot Pie
French Roast Chicken
Chicken Piri-Piri
Tamil Coconut Chilli Chicken
Nigerian Peanut and Chicken Stew

To order your copy of Chicken from Maryland to Kiev by Clare Ferguson for the special price of £13.99 including postage and packing (normal price £16.99), call Macmillan Direct on: 01256 302 699 and quote reference GLR 759