Quick and Easy Laksa

This laksa is great for those hurried winter weeknights. Simple to put together and tastes terrific. Easy to improvise with the garnish. Sometimes I'll fry up some tofu cubes in lieu of the tofu puffs.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 200  g  dried  rice vermicelli
• 2  tablespoons  peanut oil
• 2 -3  tablespoons  laksa paste
• 1  liter  vegetable stock
• 750  ml coconut milk
• 250  g snow peas, halved diagonally (mangetout)
• 5  spring onions, cut into 3 cm (scallions)
• 2  tablespoons lime juice
• 125  g fried tofu, puffs halved
• 3  tablespoons  roughly chopped vietnamese mint
• 20  g coriander leaves (cilantro)

Directions

1. Place the vermicelli in a large bowl, cover with boiling water and soak for 5 minutes.
2. Heat the oil in a saucepan, add the laksa paste and cook, stirring, over medium heat for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
3. Add the stock, coconut milk, snowpeas and spring onion and simmer for 5 minutes.
4. Pour in the lime juice and season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Drain the vermicelli and divide among four bowls.
6. Top with the bean sprouts and fried tofu puffs. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and sprinkle with the fresh mint and coriander.
7. Serve Immediately.