Resist the temptation to add more ingredients to this simply delicious soup.

4c fish or mild chicken stock

2 stalks lemongrass

2in piece ginger

1 lb cod

4T fish sauce

2t peanut or vegetable oil

2t green curry paste, plus more for garnish if desired

4 garlic cloves

8oz mushrooms, sliced

4oz rice noodles

3 scallions

Chilies to taste

Sliced lime

Cut lemongrass & ginger into chunks and simmer in fish stock with 2T fish sauce for 1 hour.  Meanwhile, cut cod into large chunks and marinate with remaining 2T fish sauce, oil and 2t green chili paste and let sit while stock is simmering.  Drain solids out of stock and return the broth to the heat.  Add sliced garlic & mushrooms and boil until mushrooms are soft. Add rice noodles and simmer for 5 minutes. Turn down heat and add fish.  Let simmer just until fish is done.  Top with sliced scallions, chilies and a squeeze of lime.

Cooking time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Serves 2