Pumpkin soup with shrimp

Ingredients: serves 5 portions

-          500 g pumpkin

-          150g -200 g shrimp

-          500 -700 ml clean water

-          2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

-          2 stalks scallion, washed, green crispy part only, sliced into thin rings

-          1 tablespoon sesame oil

-          1/2  teaspoon table salt

-          2 teaspoons granulated sugar

-          1 teaspoon broth mix (pork or chicken)

-          1 tablespoon fish sauce

-          ½  teaspoon ground pepper.

Preparation:

-          Shrimp: use a scissor to cut claws and legs. Soak in light salt water in 10 minutes. Rinse under cold running water and well drain in a colander.

-          Pumpkin: peel, remove seeds, wash and well drain.  Cut into 1- inch cubes.

Cooking:

1.               Heat 500- 700 ml water in a large pot over hight flame . Bring to a boil. Add the pumpkin cubes. Cover and cook until pumpkin cubes are soft ( it spends about 15-20 minutes). Transfer the pumpkin cubes to a bowl, and use a food processer to finely grind them with a little water ( about 100 - 150 ml) into a paste.

2.               Continue adding the shrimps into this boiling pot and cook for about10 minutes. Use a ladle to transfer the shrimps to a bowl. Set aside to cool the shrimps. Peel and remove the heads and tails. Slice the shirmps in smaller pieces, in half  lengthwise , or leave them whole if you want.

3.               Lower the flame to simmer, use a ladle to skim any scum and froth that rise on surface. It will help the water more clear.

4.               Return the pumpkin paste into the  broth. Leave the pot uncovered and gently stir.

5.               Taste and adjust flavor with additional broth mix, sugar, fish sauce, and sesame oil. Turn off the heat.

Serving:

-          Ladle the warm pumpkin soup in a individual bowl. Put some shrimps on top. Sprinkle with some pepper and sliced scallions. And enjoy with your soup spoon !

Posted in: Soups