This is a lovely spicy soup with all the flavours of South East Asia, combined with easy to prepare rice noodles. The dried shrimps are best with a little pre-soaking but otherwise this is a simple and quick soup to make. You can use the selection of spices below or just buy one of those excellent Laksa Soup packets from the supermarket. The fresh spring onions make a nice garnish but you can use those dried fried onions or shallots which are available at most Asian food shops.

Serves 2

½ cup Rice noodles
¼ cup Dried shrimps
¼ cup Freeze Dried Beans
1 tablespoon Dried Onion
1 tablespoon Coconut milk powder
¼ teaspoon Ground Ginger
¼ teaspoon Ground Coriander
¼ teaspoon Red chilli
¼ teaspoon Curry paste
1 Chicken stock cube
Spring onion as garnish

Pour 1½ cups of warm water into a pot, add all the ingredients (except the rice noodles) and soak for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile pour 1½ cups of boiling water over the rice noodles and sit to one side.

While the noodles are soaking, slowly bring the soup mixture to a low boil and simmer for 5 minutes.

Combine soup and rice noodles (including water). Season to taste.