Delicious and Refreshing Shrimp and Gourd Soup for Family Meals

Shrimp and gourd soup is a familiar dish in Vietnamese family meals, especially during the summer. Not only does this soup offer a refreshing flavor, but it is also nutritious, easy to prepare, and suitable for all ages. Let’s explore how to make a delicious shrimp and gourd soup with the following recipe.

Ingredients

To make shrimp and gourd soup, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 medium young gourd (about 300-400g)
• 100g fresh or dried shrimp (depending on preference)
• Green onions, shallots
• Seasonings: Salt, seasoning powder, fish sauce, MSG, ground pepper
• Cooking oil

Shrimp and Gourd Soup Recipe
Preparing ingredients for the delicious shrimp and gourd soup.

How to Make Shrimp and Gourd Soup with Fresh Shrimp

If you enjoy the natural and fresh taste of fresh shrimp, follow the recipe below.

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

• Remove the heads, tails, and shells of the fresh shrimp, and devein them. Rinse the shrimp with a light saltwater solution to remove any fishy smell.
• Peel the gourd, rinse it clean, and lightly score the surface with a knife. Then, slice it into thin strips or bite-sized pieces.
• Rinse the green onions and cut them into 3cm lengths. Finely chop the shallots.

Step 2: Marinate the Shrimp

• Place the shrimp in a mortar and lightly pound them to make them tender and flavorful. Add a pinch of salt, ground pepper, fish sauce, and MSG. Mix well and marinate the shrimp for about 15 minutes.

Step 3: Cook the Soup

• Heat a pot over the stove, add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and sauté the chopped shallots until fragrant. When the shallots are aromatic, add the shrimp and stir-fry until they are firm.
• Pour 400ml of water into the pot, cover it, and bring it to a boil. After boiling for about 4 minutes, add the gourd, stir gently, and continue cooking.
• Season to taste. After the soup boils for another minute, sprinkle in the chopped green onions, stir well, and turn off the heat.

Note: If you want a sweeter broth, you can boil the shrimp heads to make a stock before cooking the soup.

Shrimp and Gourd Soup Recipe
Clear and flavorful broth from fresh shrimp.

How to Make Shrimp and Gourd Soup with Dried Shrimp

If you don’t have fresh shrimp on hand, you can use dried shrimp to make an equally delicious gourd soup.

Step 1: Soak and Prepare the Dried Shrimp

• Rinse the dried shrimp, then soak them in water for about 15 minutes to soften. Drain and rinse them again.
• Pound the dried shrimp to enhance the flavor of the soup.

Step 2: Prepare the Gourd

• Peel the gourd, rinse it clean, and cut it into small pieces or strips as desired. Prepare the green onions and shallots as instructed in the previous section.

Step 3: Cook the Soup

• Sauté the shallots in cooking oil until fragrant, then add the dried shrimp and stir-fry for about 1 minute.
• Pour 400ml of water into the pot, add a little salt and seasoning powder. Bring the water to a boil, then add the gourd and cook for about 4 minutes.
• When the gourd is tender, adjust the seasoning to taste. Finally, add the green onions and turn off the heat.

The shrimp and gourd soup with dried shrimp still retains its natural sweetness and appeal.

Finished Product and Enjoyment

Whether using fresh or dried shrimp, shrimp and gourd soup always offers a refreshing and nutritious flavor. The tender but not mushy gourd, combined with the rich sweetness of the shrimp, creates a perfect dish to enjoy with rice. This soup is especially suitable to be eaten with white rice and dipped in a garlic and chili fish sauce.

Shrimp and Gourd Soup Recipe
Enjoying shrimp and gourd soup on hot summer days.

Conclusion

With its simple preparation and easily available ingredients, shrimp and gourd soup is sure to become a favorite choice for family meals. Not only does it help cool you down effectively, but it also provides essential nutrients from both shrimp and gourd. Try out this recipe to treat your family today!

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