Do you know how to make Caldo de Cameron? Have you ever heard of this shrimp soup before? It is a chunky Mexican shrimp and tomato soup with vegetables. And that sounds like a fine soup to me!
I had heard of this classic caldo de camaron before.
On social media lots of my fellow food bloggers had already posted this Mexican shrimp soup. Especially around end of April, for that popular Mexican holiday by the name of Cinco de Mayo.
You certainly must have heard of it before.
This shrimp soup always looked so good so I put it on my to do list.
Cinco de Mayo
Still it took me quite some time before I even tried and prepared it.
But I will be making it more often because it is absolutely delicious!
So what exactly do we need here to make this recipe for caldo de camaron? What did I say before? That it is a chunky and crunchy prawn and vegetable tomato soup?
That sounds like a great lunch idea to me I have to say!
So prawns I always have in my freezer. The ones that I buy here in Spain are so cheap that I always keep these prawns in the freezer as a plan B dinner.
Prawns
You can make the greatest meals with prawns.
Curries for instance.
Curry paste is also an ingredient that you can find in my kitchen cupboards at all times. And rice of course, so yes a spicy Thai prawn curry is quite often a last minute dinner option here.
OK then, what else goes into this caldo de camaron shrimp soup?
Avocado, tomatoes, carrots.
Hey this is my personal caldo de camaron receta. Not the classic one. I always try to give my own personal twist on recipes. I don’t want to be copying my food blogger colleagues!
Mexican Prawn Soup
So here I was one fine day, with 14 leftover raw prawns in my fridge because I made a most delectable saffron and prawn spaghetti the day before.
I found the rest of the ingredients I wanted to add to my personal shrimp caldo version in my fridge and pantry also. Fresh avocado, celery and carrots for instance.
You better cook both celery and carrots here.
However I do suggest that you keep the avocado raw.
Avocado
Just sprinkle the diced avocado on top of the caldo de camaron soup right in the end when you put the plates on your dinner table. Or the avocado will become mushy and most likely fall apart if you leave it to boil and poach in the hot soup.
Besides, that diced avocado really brightens up this soup as well. Just look at that vibrant green color! Flavor is the most important thing when I cook, but let’s not forget to present and plate up food in a most appealing way!
So yes, that diced avocado is better off this way.
Easy Caldo De Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Soup)
So then I decided to throw the whole shebang together until I end up with something tasty because I fancy a spicy prawn soup for lunch! Be generous with the lime juice and cilantro because that will give the necessary explosive flavors to this caldo de camaron.
Also important here: keep those vegetables crunchy!
I added lemongrass to my tomato broth because it adds an extra citrusy touch to this soup. But you can leave it out if you want.
So how should you serve this caldo de camaron then? Hot or cold, whatever you prefer because both versions are just excellent!
I prefer to eat this soup when it is cold.
More Mexican Recipes
Do you love Mexican style prawn recipes?
Then you should also check out my prawn tacos!
Or how about my chimichurri shrimp then? I love those shrimp because it’s served with my homemade chimichurri sauce! I could eat chimichurri until I burst, love it so much on a steak also!
Enjoy!
Easy Shrimp Soup Caldo De Camaron Recipe
Try my caldo de camaron then: a Mexican shrimp and tomato soup with vegetables...
- 14 unpeeled prawns (without heads)
- 3 small fresh tomatoes chopped
- ⅔ cup tomato juice (160 ml)
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- 2 large garlic cloves peeled
- 1 medium dried red chili or guajillo pepper
- 1 small fresh carrot sliced
- 1 small onion chopped
- a handful fresh celery diced
- 1 stalk lemongrass optional
- a handful fresh cilantro
- ¼ ripe avocado
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- olive oil
- salt
Peel the prawns. Add the scales to a large pan together with the peeled garlic, chopped tomatoes, dried chili, lemongrass (optional), some olive oil and a pinch of salt.
Place the pan over medium heat and fry the ingredients for 4 minutes. Then add the tomato juice, tomato paste, the stems of the cilantro and 2 cups (480 ml) of water.
Turn the heat higher until the ingredients start to boil. Then lower the heat again and cover the pan. Cook the tomatoes for 15 minutes. Then take the pan off the heat. Let the soup cool down for 10 minutes. Remove the lemongrass because it's too tough. Blend or mix the soup.
Then strain it. Discard the tomato pulp. Keep the tomato soup aside until later. Add the chopped onion and carrot and some olive oil to a pan.
Then place the pan over medium heat and fry the vegetables for 5 minutes until the onion is glossy. Then add the diced celery and peeled prawns. Season with a pinch of salt.
Stir and cook the vegetables and prawns for 2 more minutes until the prawns are cooked. Then add the tomato soup.
- Turn up the heat until the soup starts boil. Cook for 3 minutes. Then turn the heat off and add the lime juice and chopped cilantro leaves. Check the seasoning and add extra salt, pepper or lemon juice to taste. Scoop the caldo de camaron into bowls. Then sprinkle with chopped avocado and extra cilantro. Serve hot.
