Categories: Pasta 
      Yield: 6 servings 
  
    1/2 lb Rice vermicelli                     4    Dried red chillies, halved 
      3 lb Whole fish                          8 sm Fresh red chillies, halved 
  7 1/3 c  Water                               8    Dried kaffir lime leaves 
      2 ts Galangal powder                          -extra 
      3    Stems lemon grass chopped       3 2/3 c  Coconut cream 
      5    Sprigs fresh mint                   3 oz Bean sprouts (chinese white) 
      5    Sprigs fresh basil                  2 ts Salt 
      8    Dried kaffir lime leaves            2 ts Caster sugar 
 
--------------------------------CHILI PASTE-------------------------------- 
      3    Stems lemon grass, finely         1/3 c  Water 
           -chopped                            3 ts Galangal powder 
    1/4 ts Shrimp paste                        3 sm Fresh chillies 
  
  Add vermicelli to pan of boiling water, boil uncovered 2 minutes or until 
  just tender, rinse and drain. 
   
  Remove and discard heads from fish, fillet fish, reserving bones. 
   
  Remove and discard fish skin. Cut fillets into strips. 
   
  Combine water, powder, lemon grass, mint, basil, lime leaves, and dried and 
  fresh chillies in pan, simmer covered for 30 minutes. 
   
  Add fish bones, simmer for another 10 minutes. Strain resulting stock, 
  discarding bones and chilli mixture. You need 1125 ml of stock so add water 
  if necessary. 
   
  Place extra lime leaves in a bowl, cover with warm water, stand 20 minutes. 
  Drain, and slice leaves thinly. 
   
  Return stock to pan, add chilli paste, fish strips, coconut cream, sliced 
  lime leaves, sprouts, salt and sugar and bring to the boil. Divide 
  vermicelli into serving bowls, pour soup over it. Garnish with extra sliced 
  chillies, baby basil leaves and bean sprouts. 
   
  Chilli paste. Blend or process all ingredients until smooth.