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Canh mướp tôm
Luffa and prawn soup
Canh mướp nấu tôm: light luffa gourd soup with prawns
In summer the trellises of Vietnamese gardens hang heavy with luffa, and canh mướp is what goes on the table most evenings from Hanoi to Huế: a clear, barely salted broth with soft, sweet gourd and a little chopped prawn, ladled over rice through the meal. It takes 20 minutes and very little oil, which is why mothers make it for anyone feeling the heat. Chef's tip: add the luffa last and pull the pot off as soon as it turns translucent; overcooked luffa goes slimy and the soup turns grey.
- Total time
- 20 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 5 ½ oz raw peeled prawnsdeveined and roughly chopped
- 1 ½ tbsp fish sauce
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 shallotfinely chopped
- 1 tsp neutral oil
- 1.2 litres water
- 2 luffa gourdsabout 500 g, ridges peeled, cut into chunks
- 2 spring onionssliced
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Mix 5 ½ oz raw peeled prawns with 1 tsp of ⅜ tbsp fish sauce and ¼ tsp black pepper.
2 minStep 2: Fry 1 shallot in 1 tsp neutral oil in a saucepan over a medium heat until fragrant, add the prawns and stir until they just turn pink.
2 minStep 3: Pour in 1.2 litres water, bring to the boil and skim off any foam.
4 minStep 4: Add 2 luffa gourds and simmer until the pieces turn pale green and translucent at the edges.
3 minStep 5: Season with the rest of 1 ⅛ tbsp fish sauce, scatter over 2 spring onions and serve hot with rice.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 9 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 2 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does canh mướp tôm take?
- About 20 minutes in total: 10 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of fish sauce?
- Soy sauce with a squeeze of lime (vegetarian).
- What can I use instead of shallot?
- Half an onion per 2 shallots.
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