Fish Soup with Lemongrass and Chiles

A treat for the cook because of its ease of preparation, and for guests because of its sparkling flavors, this is a great soup to serve on a hot day. The broth is aromatic with lemongrass and ginger, and it gets an extra lift from the condiments and toppings that each guest adds while eating: a little heat from minced green chile, crunch and freshness from shallots and coriander leaves, and the tang of lime juice to pull it all together.