Vietnamese Style Shrimp Soup Recipes

VIETNAMESE SWEET & SOUR SHRIMP SOUP WITH PINEAPPLE (CANH CHUA TOM NAU THOM)

Steps:

• Prep the ingredients: Devein the shrimp by inserting a toothpick underneath the vein and between the shells. Pull up to remove. Give the shrimp a quick rinse, if needed. Peel and finely dice the garlic cloves. Cut the pineapples into small bite-size chunks. If using large okra, halve at a diagonal. Otherwise, leave okra whole. Quarter the tomatoes. Set everything aside.
• In a medium-size pot, heat oil on medium-high. Add garlic and fry until golden brown. Set aside half of the fried garlic for garnish. Add chicken stock to the pot with the remaining garlic and bring the pot to a boil.
• Add tamarind pulp to a mesh strainer and lower it into the stockpot. Use the back of a spoon to help push the pulp through the strainer. Discard remains.
• Season stock with salt, fish sauce, and sugar to taste.
• Add shrimp. When shrimp start to turn color, add okra and pineapple. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Lastly, add tomatoes and immediately turn off the heat.
• Garnish soup with fried garlic from earlier, Thai chili peppers, and either rice paddy herbs, Thai basil, culantro, or cilantro. Serve with steamed rice and one of the following traditional Vietnamese protein dishes for a complete meal.

SHRIMP PHO

Steps:

• Combine chicken stock, vegetable broth, shallots, soy sauce, fish sauce, ginger, rice vinegar, brown sugar, garlic, pepper, cinnamon stick, and star anise in a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, until flavors combine, 1 to 2 hours. Strain out solids and return broth to the pot.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add rice noodles and cook until opaque, 4 to 5 minutes.
• While noodles are cooking, saute shrimp with soy sauce and garlic in a skillet until shrimp are cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Drain noodles and rinse until cold water. Divide among 6 large soup bowls. Ladle hot broth over noodles and top with shrimp, bean sprouts, and green onions. Serve basil, cilantro, mint, and lime wedges alongside.