Recipe Archives->Asian Sea->Asp Crab Soup

Vietnamese Asparagus and Crab Meat Soup - Mang Tay Nau Cua
Yield: 6 servings

4 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons nuoc mam (Vietnamese fish sauce)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
6 shallots, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
8 oz fresh or canned lump crab meat, picked over and drained
freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot, mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
1 egg, lightly beaten
15 oz white asparagus spears, cut into 1-inch sections with liquid reserved
1 tablespoon shredded coriander
1 scallion, thinly sliced

Combine the broth, 1 tablespoon of the fish sauce, the sugar and
salt in a 3 quart soup pot. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and
simmer.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a skillet. Add the shallots and garlic
and stir-fry until aromatic. Add the crab meat, the remaining 2
teaspoons fish sauce and black pepper to taste. Stir-fry over high
heat for 1 minute. Set aside.

Bring the soup to a boil. Add the cornstarch mixture and stir gently
until the soup thickens and is clear. While the soup is actively
boiling, add the egg and stir gently. Continue to stir for about
1 minute. Add the crab meat mixture and asparagus with its canning
liquid; cook gently until heated through.

Transfer the soup to a heated tureen. Sprinkle on the coriander,
scallion and freshly ground black pepper.

Printable version: asp-crab-soup.txt.