Hot and Sour Soup I

Ingredients

 * 15 liters (27 pints) chicken stock
 * 2 tablespoons dried lemon grass
 * 1 tablespoon grated lime rind
 * salt to taste
 * 3 tablespoons lime juice
 * ¼ teaspoon chile paste
 * ¼ teaspoon sugar
 * ½ x 425 g (15 oz) can straw mushrooms, drained
 * 125 g (4 oz) bean sprouts
 * 1 bunch spring onions, thinly sliced
 * 250 g (8 oz) frozen prawns, defrosted
 * 2 small red chiles, seeded and thinly sliced
 * 3 tablespoons coriander leaves

Directions

 * 1) Put the stock, lemon grass and lime rind in a large pan. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
 * 2) Strain the stock and return to the pan. Season with salt, then add the lime juice, chile paste and sugar. Stir well
 * 3) Add the mushrooms, bean sprouts and spring onions. Simmer for 1 minute.
 * 4) Add the prawns and simmer for a few seconds to heat through.
 * 5) Serve in individual bowls, sprinkled with chile slices and coriander leaves.