Chupe de Camarones (Peruvian Shrimp Chowder)

Chupe de camarones is a traditional Peruvian shrimp chowder, packed with variety and flavor. It includes a mix of shrimp and vegetables in a smooth, gently creamy and spiced base. It's hearty but not heavy and so delicious.
When I visited Peru we were often reminded just how varied the landscape is in the country. It's one of the few places in the world to have high mountains, desert, rainforest as well as coastal climates. Linked to this is a range of different foods, drawing on what is available in the different regions. You'll find post-colonial influences as well as many earlier ones.
This Peruvian shrimp soup is a perfect example. Some have assumed it came from the coastal area around Lima since it's base is seafood, but food historians have more recently traced it to the Arequipa region and with origins going back centuries.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb raw, shell-on shrimp prawns, or slightly more
- 4 cups water
- ½ onion small-medium
- 2 cloves garlic
- ½ lb potatoes
- 1 corn cob (or around 1 cup/140g corn kernels)
- 2 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon aji amarillo chili paste
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste tomato puree
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ cup rice
- ½ cup peas
- ½ cup queso fresco in small dice
- ⅔ cup evaporated milk
Prep Time:
20 minutes
Cook Time:
45 minutes
Total Time:
65 minutes
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