HOT AND SOUR SOUP

A 'fat free' spicy aromatic soup, flavoured with lemon grass and simmered with mushrooms and baby corn.
Preparation Time : 15 min.
Cooking Time : 30 min.
Serves 4.

Main Recipe
1 seasoning cube(veg.)
7 cloves garlic
50 mm(2') piece ginger, cut into thin strips
5 stalks lemon grass, tied
1/4 cup chopped coriander
3 green chillies, slit
3 tablespoons sliced canned mushrooms
7 nos. baby corn, cut diagonally
1 teaspoon lemon juice
For the garnish
2 tablespoons spring onion, finely cut
2 tablespoons chopped coriander
2 tablespoons carrots, cut into thin strips

Method
1. Tie the lemon grass stalks and coriander together using some lemon grass.
2. Boil 5 cups of water in a pan. Add the seasoning cube, garlic, ginger, lemon grass and coriander (tied together), cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
3. When the aroma stasrts getting released, discard the garlic, ginger, lemon grass and coriander bunch.
4. Add the chillies, mushrooms, baby corn and salt and simmer for another 15 minutes in the covered pan.
5. Add the lemon juice just before serving.
6. Garnish the soups bowl with spring onions, coriander and carrot, pour the hot soup over it and serve at once.

Tips
Keep in mind that seasoning cubes already contain salt. Therefore, extra salt should be added last, if required.
Pouring hot soup over the spring onions, carrots and coriander helps release their flavours besides cooking them slightly.