HOT AND SOUR SOUP WITH CHICKEN AND LEMON GRASS

Steps:

• To a medium size cooking pot, add chicken broth, ginger and brown sugar.
• To prepare lemon grass; remove all but the bottom 5 inches of the stalks.
• Place 8 to 10 outside lemon grass sheaths into soup pot, (the sheaths are used like a bay leaf).
• Mince the bottom 2 inches of the tender inside leaves and set aside,(require about 3 tablespoons).
• With a potato peeler, peel 6 strips of rind from one lime and add to the broth; (make sure to only use the outer green rind).
• Bring broth to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer; cover and simmer for 15 minutes.
• While chicken is cooking, grate rind (NO PITH) from the remaining lime and set aside.
• Juice both limes to measure 3 tablespoons of juice and set aside.
• When chicken is cooked through, remove from pot to a plate and shred chicken using 2 forks.
• At this time, strain broth and return to cooking pot. Discard any solids.
• Add shredded chicken into the cooking pot.
• Add minced lemon grass, grated lime rind, lime juice, shallots, fish sauce and garlic chili pepper sauce.
• Bring soup back to a simmer and sprinkle with cilantro.
• Serve immediately.
• In small bowls,mix together with additional chopped cilantro and garlic-chili pepper sauce for additional garnish if desired.