Salmon in a Light, Fragrant Broth

English_Rose's Note:

You don't need a heavy main course to weigh you down, but you do want something special like fresh salmon bathed in a fragrant, lime-scented broth with a little kick of lime juice. Serve with rice or noodles if you like.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 2

• 1 1/4 cups chicken broth
• 1 stalk lemongrass, trimmed, peeled, white part finely sliced
• 2 shallots, peeled, finely sliced
• 1 red chili pepper, finely sliced
• 3 1/2 ounces oyster mushrooms, finely sliced or 3 1/2 ounces shiitake mushrooms
• 1 teaspoon superfine sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 (4 1/4 ounce) salmon fillets, pin-bones removed
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 3 1/2 ounces baby spinach leaves
• 1 tablespoon Thai fish sauce
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

Directions:

1. Bring the stock to the boil in a large saucepan. Add the lemongrass, shallots, chili, mushrooms and sugar and reduce the heat; simmer for ten minutes.
2. In the meantime, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan. Sear the salmon fillets, skin-side down, until the skin is crisp, then turn once and cook briefly on the other side, leaving the inside slightly pink. Remove from the heat and season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Wilt the spinach in the hot broth for five seconds, remove with a slotted spoon and arrange in two warmed shallow soup bowls. Place the salmon on top.
4. Add the fish sauce and lime juice to the broth, and spoon it around the salmon. Serve.