TOM YUM NOODLES

Chrissy Teigen is a phenomenally successful model and TV presenter. She may be the most popular new mom on Instagram and she is creating a culinary empire with her Cravings series of cookbooks. Cravings: Hungry for More is her second (and we hear that a third is already well underway). Tom Yum Noodles takes your pantry staple dried ramen noodle square and turns it into something, well, crave-able. 2 chicken bouillon cubes

8 fresh Thai bird chilies

4 garlic cloves, halved

1 shallot, cut into ½-inch pieces 1 tbsp. (15 mL) fish sauce, plus more to taste

1 stalk lemon grass, cut into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces

3 kaffir lime leaves, central vein removed

1-inch fresh galangal (or ginger), cut into ¼-inch-thick coins

1 (15-oz.) can straw mushrooms, drained and rinsed

12 cherry tomatoes, lightly smashed

2 (3-ounce) packets instant ramen noodles

4 scallions, whites cut into 2-inch pieces, greens thinly sliced

1 lb. (454 g) peeled and deveined jumbo shrimp

Kosher salt

Chopped fresh cilantro, for garnish

Lime wedges, for serving

1. In a 4-quart (4L) saucepan, bring 8 cups (2L) water and the bouillon cubes to a boil. While the water is coming to a boil, place 5 of the chilies (or as many as you can handle) in a mortar with the garlic and shallot and mash until pulverized (or chop together with a knife but, uh, don’t touch your sensitive parts until after you’ve washed your hands 100 times).

2. Add the chili paste to the boiling liquid along with the fish sauce, lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, mushrooms, and tomatoes. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes to let the flavours infuse. Uncover, add the ramen noodles and scallions, and simmer until the noodles are hydrated, about 2 minutes. Add the shrimp and simmer until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Season the soup to taste with salt or more fish sauce. Finely chop the remaining 3 chilies.

3. Discard the lime leaves and lemon grass and divide noodles and broth among bowls. Garnish with the chilies, cilantro and lime wedges.

Serves: 2