1/2 lb Medium raw shrimp
1 tb Vegatable oil
5 c  Chicken broth
2    Slalks lemongrass, cut into
-2 inch pieces and crushed
Peel of 1/2 lime
1    Serranor or jalepeno chile,
-cut in half
1/2 c  Canned straw mushrooms
2 1/2 tb Fresh lime juice
1 tb Fish sauce (Nuoc mom)
Garnish:
2    Green onions(including
-tops), thinly sliced
2 tb Coarsely chopped cilantro
1 1/2 tb Coarsely chopped mint leaves
1    Serrano or jelapeno chile,
-seeded and slivered

1. Shell the shrimp, rinse the shells and pat them dray. Cut the shrimp in
half horizontally and rinse out the sand veins. 2. Place a large pot over
high heat until hot. Add the oil, swirling to coat the surface. Add the
shrimp shells; cook until they turn pink, abt 30 seconds. Add the brooth,
lemon grass, lime peel, and chile. Bring to aboil over high heat. Reduce
the heat to medioum-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the
broth, discarding the seasonings. Return the broth to the pot and heat tto
simmering. Add the shrimp and straw mushrooms and cook until the shrimp
turn pink, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lime juice and fish sauce. To
serve, lade into individual soup bowls. Garnish with green onio, cilantro,
mint leaves and chile.