Fragrant Sugar Snap and Bean Sprout Noodle Laksa by Rachel Allen

Ingredients

150g fine Rice noodles
2 red Chillies, seeds removed and finely chopped
4 cloves Garlic, finely chopped
2.5 cm piece of root Ginger, roughly chopped
1 stick Lemon grass, outer leaves removed, roughly chopped
50g Coriander, leaves and stalks torn
juice of 1-2 limes
2 tbsp Sesame oil
4ml cans coconut milk
700ml vegetable stock
1-2 tbsp Fish Sauce, (nam pla) or soy sauce
250g sugar snap peas, halved lengthways
150g bean sprouts
8 Spring onions, finely sliced

Directions

Place the noodles in a large bowl and pour over boiling water to cover, so that it comes up to about 2.5cm above the noodles, and leave to soak for 3–4 minutes or until soft. Drain well.

Meanwhile, place the chillies, garlic, ginger, lemon grass, coriander (reserving a few leaves for scattering over the dish) and juice of one of the limes in a food processor and blend to a paste.

Heat the sesame oil in a large saucepan on a medium heat and fry the chilli paste for 3 minutes. Add the coconut milk, stock and 1 tablespoon of fish sauce or soy sauce. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

Add the sugar snap peas and bean sprouts and simmer for a further 2–3 minutes or until almost cooked but still crunchy. Check the taste and add more lime juice or fish/soy sauce if necessary.

Divide the noodles between warm bowls, ladle the hot soup over and scatter the sliced spring onions and reserved coriander leaves on top.