Spicy Vegetable Soup

INGREDIENTS

4 cups of boiling water
4 tablespoons desiccated coconut or one can of coconut milk
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion, thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 inch piece gingerroot, peeled and grated
2 green chilies, finely chopped
1 teaspoon turmeric
5 cups of vegetable stock
2 teaspoons brown sugar
2 carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 leek, thinly sliced
2 ounces green beans, chopped
salt (or soy sauce)
1 lemon, juice of

PREPARATION:

Pour the boiling water over the desiccated coconut; leave to steep for 15 minutes to make coconut milk; strain to remove any fibres.
Heat the oil in a pan and add the onion, cook for 2-3 minutes until soft then stir in the garlic, ginger, chillies and turmeric; heat through to make a sticky paste, stirring to prevent burning.
Add the stock and coconut milk and heat through, then add the sugar, carrots, clelery, leek and green beans; simmer gently for 30 minutes.
Add salt and soy sauce to taste; stir in lemon juice just before serving.
Serves 4.