Shrimp, Ancho Chile, and Pasta Soup (Sopa seca de Camarones y Fideos)

By cprzybyl

Nutritional Information
Calories:420 (30% from fat)
Protein:32g
Fat:14g (sat 2)
Carbohydrate:42g
Fiber:3.7g
Sodium:737mg
Cholesterol:164mg

Ingredients

• 2 dried ancho or pasilla chiles (each 4 to 5 in. long; see Notes and "How Hot Is Your Chile?" below)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 6 ounces dried vermicelli or fideos, broken in thirds
• 1/2 teaspoon anise seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 pound (30 to 35 per lb.) peeled, deveined shrimp, tails left on
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)
• Diced avocado (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from find.myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Break stems off chiles and shake out seeds. In a small bowl, cover chiles with hot water and let stand until softened, 5 to 10 minutes. Drain and coarsely chop.
2. Meanwhile, pour olive oil into a 12-in. nonstick frying pan over medium-low heat. Add pasta; stir and turn often with tongs until almost golden, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in anise and cumin seeds, onion, and garlic. Lift pasta so it mostly sits on top of onion mixture, then cook onion mixture, stirring often, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes.
3. Stir in chiles and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, 3 minutes; add shrimp and simmer until pasta is tender to the bite, 3 to 4 minutes more. Season to taste with salt.
4. Spoon soup into wide, shallow bowls. Top each serving with a spoonful of sour cream and some avocado, if you like, and sprinkle with cilantro.
How Hot Is Your Chile? To assess a chile's heat, slice off its top through the ribs and seeds, where the heat-producing compound capsaicin is concentrated. Touch the slice to your tongue. If you want your food to be milder, split the chile and scrape out all or some of the ribs and seeds. If your skin is sensitive, wear kitchen gloves or hold the chiles with a fork—and don't touch your eyes.