Soup

Canh Chua (Vietnam)

Name: Canh Chua (Vietnam)
Total time: 30 min
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 1 L Stock; 300 g Shrimp; 2 Tomato; 1 Lime; 100 g Bean sprouts; 1 bunch Fresh cilantro; 1 tbsp Sugar; 2 tbsp Fish sauce; 1 Chili pepper

Preparation time: 30 min
Servings: serves 4

Ingredients

serves 4

Stock — to buy1 L
Shrimp — to buy300 g
Tomato — to buy2
Lime — to buy1
Bean sprouts — to buy100 g
Fresh cilantro — to buy1 bunch
Sugar — to buy1 tbsp
Fish sauce — to buy2 tbsp
Chili pepper — to buy1

Preparation

Bring the stock to a boil with the tomatoes cut into wedges, and let it simmer for 5 minutes so they start to break down and flavour the liquid.
Add the fish sauce, sugar and lime juice: taste and adjust the sweet-tangy-salty balance, which is this soup's signature (canh chua means 'sour soup').
Add the shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes at a gentle simmer, just until they turn pink — they turn rubbery fast if left any longer.
Add the bean sprouts right at the very end, off the heat if needed, so they keep their crunch.
Sprinkle with fresh cilantro and sliced chili just before serving, piping hot, in large bowls.