Thai green chicken soup

Ingredients

• Vegetable oil 2 tbsp
• Stock cubes 2 litres
• Fresh basil
• Garlic 4
• Green beans 280 g
• Lime
• Onion 1
• Spring onions 1 bunch
• Chicken thighs 500 g
• Bamboo shoots 150 g
• Coconut milk 400 ml
• Fish sauce 2 tbsp
• Kaffir lime leaves 5
• Thai green curry paste 280 g

Method

1. Heat the oil in your largest pan, add the onion and fry for 3 mins to soften. Add the chicken and garlic, and cook until the chicken changes colour.
2. Add the curry paste, coconut milk, stock, lime leaves and fish sauce, then simmer for 12 mins. Add the chopped onion tops, green beans and bamboo shoots and cook for 4-6 mins, until the beans are just tender.
3. Meanwhile, put the lime juice and basil in a narrow jug and blitz with a hand blender to make a smooth green paste.
4. Pour into the soup with the sliced spring onion and heat through.
5. Serve with lime wedges for a light lunch or supper or as a make-ahead starter.