Thai Hot and Spicy Shrimp Soup

• 6 cups water
• 2 small green or red Thai “bird” chiles or 4 jalapeno chiles
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped fine
• 2 shallots, minced
• 2 ¼-inch-thick slices of galangal or fresh ginger
• 4 kaffir lime leaves, cut into fine shreds
• 1 stalk lemongrass, white soft part sliced very thin
• 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined (deveining optional)
• 1 small bunch cilantro, large stems removed
• ¼ to ½ cup Thai fish sauce
• Juice of 3 limes
• Pepper to taste

Bring the water to a simmer and add the chiles, garlic, shallots, galangal, lime leaves, and lemongrass and simmer gently for 12 minutes. Add the shrimp, simmer for 1 minute, and add the cilantro, ¼ cup fish sauce, and lime juice. Simmer for 1 minute more. Season to taste with pepper. If the soup tastes like it needs salt, add fish sauce. it’s very salty and will contribute flavor. until the salt level is right. Serve in heated soup bowls.