This is one of my absolute favourite things to eat, plus it’s really healthy too. I learned to make this whilst I was travelling, at a little place called Pum’s on Kho Phi Phi island (famous for its satellite island which you may have seen on The Beach, and which was almost completely destroyed by the tsunami in 2004. If you ever get a chance to go there, please go and support the people whose lives were affected by this tragedy). This soup isn’t so much sour as zingy – make sure you use fresh kaffir lime leaves, it really does make a difference to the taste.

{Serves 2}

Ingredients

• 600ml boiling water
• 100g cooked mussels (shells removed)
• 8 cooked king prawns
• 4 birds eye chillies
• 1 stalk of lemon grass
• 4 kaffir karrif lime leaves
• 4 thai shallots (if you can’t find these, replace with ¼ onion)
• 4 slices galangal (if you can’t find this, replace with ginger)
• 4tbsp lemon juice
• 4tbsp fish sauce
• 2tbsp chilli paste
• 2tbsp sugar

Instructions

1. Add all the ingredients except the prawns and the mussels into a pan and bring to the boil. Simmer for two minutes.
2. Add in the prawns and mussels and simmer for 1 minute longer. You’re done! (Yes, it’s that simple!) Don’t eat anything except the shallots, prawns and mussels and serve with rice.

Mae Ploy Green Curry Paste

Making your own chilli paste can be costly and time-consuming, but this curry paste takes all that out of the equation. Just fry, then add coconut milk, water, vegetables and meat and you’re done! The tub gives you eight portions and is around the £2 mark. Now you can have quick thai food without reaching for the takeaway menu!

Asda thai selection pack

Another thai one, this is perfect for making tom yam (recipe coming soon) and costs just 86p (price correct 9th March 2010, Fratton store). In the pack you get thai shallots, garlic, lemongrass, chillies and galangal. Buying all the ingredients seperately would cost a fair bit more! The only thing it lacks is kaffir lime leaves – I’m lucky I can pick frozen ones up at our local asian supermarket and just take them out when I need them.

New! Ambrosia Crumble Puds

I just tried these yesterday and I swear these are my new pudding cheat. The custard contains compote (there’s a few fruits to choose from, I had apple) and I warmed mine up in the microwave and sprinkled the crumble balls over the top. OK it’s not a proper apple crumble but they still rate top in my shop-bought desserts.