Lemongrass-Scented Noodle Soup with Shrimp

• FAST
• HEALTHY

Ingredients

1. 1/4 pound Asian rice noodles (Pad Thai noodles)
2. 4 cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
3. 2 plump lemongrass stalks, inner bulbs very thinly sliced, tops crushed
4. 1 medium garlic clove, thinly sliced
5. Salt and freshly ground pepper
6. 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp
7. 1 cup snow peas, halved crosswise
8. 1/2 bunch watercress, tough stems discarded (2 cups)
9. 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro
10. 2 scallions, thinly sliced
11. 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1. Soak the noodles in a large bowl of hot tap water until pliable, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, combine the stock with the sliced and crushed lemongrass and the garlic. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and discard the large lemongrass stalks.
2. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Drain the noodles and cook them in the boiling water until tender, about 2 minutes. Drain well and rinse under cool water.
3. Add the shrimp, snow peas and watercress to the lemongrass broth and cook until the shrimp are pink and the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cilantro, scallions, lime juice and noodles and cook just until heated through. Serve at once.