Ingredients

  • 1 ½ teaspoons finely chopped fresh chilies, preferably serrano although jalapenos could be used, stems and seeds removed
  • ¾ cup rich chicken broth
  • ¼ teaspoon saffron threads
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • 2 pounds yellow tomatoes, about six
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped yellow pepper
  • 5 tablespoons peeled, finely chopped cantaloupe
  • 5 tablespoons peeled, seeded, chopped papaya
  • 5 tablespoons peeled, seeded, chopped mango
  • ½ cup peeled, seeded, finely diced cucumber
  • 5 tablespoons peeled, finely diced jicama, optional, (see note)
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
  • Salt to taste, if desired
  • 1 pound cooked, peeled small shrimp
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh coriander
  • Nutritional Information
    • Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

      179 calories; 1 gram fat; 0 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 0 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 16 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 5 grams sugars; 26 grams protein; 183 milligrams cholesterol; 478 milligrams sodium

    • Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.

Four to six servings

Preparation

  1. Combine the chilies, chicken broth, saffron and lime juice in the container of a food processor or, preferably, an electric blender. Blend thoroughly. Pour the mixture into a small mixing bowl and let stand for a minimum of 10 minutes.
  2. Drop the tomatoes into a basin of boiling water and let stand 12 seconds. Drain immediately. Peel the tomatoes and discard the peel and stems. Cut the tomatoes crosswise in half and remove the seeds. Cut the tomato flesh into very small dice. There should be about two cups.
  3. Combine the tomatoes, yellow pepper, cantaloupe, papaya, mango, cucumber, jicama and scallions in a mixing bowl. Add the chili and broth mixture and stir to blend. Add salt to taste. There should be about four cups. Refrigerate at least one hour.
  4. Cut each shrimp crosswise in half. There should be about 1 1/4 cups. Roll the shrimps in chopped coriander.
  5. Spoon equal portions of the soup into four to six chilled soup bowls. Garnish each bowl with equal portions of the shrimp.
  • The texture of jicama, a bulbous, brown root, is similar to that of a radish or a water chestnut. Many fresh fruit markets, particularly those catering to a Latin-American clientele, may carry it.

Dining and Cooking