Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/2  pound         medium raw shrimp
   1      tablespoon    vegetable oil
   5      cups          chicken broth
   2      stalks        lemongrass -- cut into
                        -- 2 inch pieces and crushed
                        peel of 1/2 lime
   1                    serrano or jalapeno chile -- cut in half
     1/2  cup           canned straw mushrooms
   2 1/2  tablespoons   fresh lime juice
   1      tablespoon    fish sauce -- (nuoc mom)
                        ***GARNISH***
   2                    green onions -- (including, tops),
                        -- thinly sliced
   2      tablespoons   coarsely chopped cilantro
   1 1/2  tablespoons   coarsely chopped mint leaves
   1                    serrano or jalapeno chile -- seeded and slivered

Preparation:

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, about 30 seconds. Add the broth, lemon grass, lime peel, and chile. 3. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain the broth, discarding the seasonings. 4. Return the broth to the pot and heat to 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 onion, cilantro, mint leaves and chile.