Mexican Shrimp Soup

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined 1 lb (450g) shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, diced 1 onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 1 carrot, sliced 1 carrot, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, diced 1 bell pepper, diced
• 4 cups (950ml) fish or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) fish or vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon cumin 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (optional for spiciness) 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (optional for spiciness)
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Fresh cilantro, chopped (for garnish)
• Lime wedges (for serving) Lime wedges (for serving)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become translucent.
2. 2.
   Add the diced tomatoes, sliced carrot, and diced bell pepper to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
3. 3.
   Pour in the fish or vegetable broth and bring it to a boil.
4. 4.
   Reduce the heat to low and add the cumin, paprika, dried oregano, bay leaf, and jalapeño pepper (if using). Simmer for about 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Add the shrimp to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until they turn pink and opaque.
6. 6.
   Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. 7.
   Remove the bay leaf from the soup.
8. 8.
   Serve the Mexican Shrimp Soup hot, garnished with fresh cilantro and lime wedges on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Shrimp — Make sure to devein the shrimp properly before using them in the soup to remove any grit or sand.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier soup, leave the seeds in the jalapeño pepper or add an extra chili pepper.
• Serve the Mexican Shrimp Soup with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a complete meal.
• Feel free to add other vegetables of your choice, such as zucchini or corn, to customize the soup to your liking.
• To make the soup even heartier, you can add cooked rice or noodles.
• If you prefer a thicker broth, you can blend a small portion of the soup and then mix it back into the pot.

Serving advice

Serve the Mexican Shrimp Soup in individual bowls, garnished with fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Accompany it with warm tortillas or crusty bread for a satisfying meal.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation of the Mexican Shrimp Soup, place a lime wedge on the rim of each bowl and sprinkle some chopped cilantro on top of the soup. The vibrant colors of the ingredients will make the dish visually appealing.