Shrimp Tikka Masala Soup

If you’re a big fan of chicken masala (me!), you’ll love Shrimp Tikka Masala Soup! All of the amazing flavors and fragrances of tikka masala, in soup form.

I’m probably the only food blogger on the planet who hasn’t pumped out post after post about Christmas entertaining. Peppermint or egg-nog flavored [insert dish here] this month. How to decorate with herbs/fruit/milk bottles/origami. Ho ho ho hum.

Don’t get me wrong, I haven’t gone completely over to the Grinch side. I like holiday festivities — the lights, poinsettias, the carols, “A Christmas Carol” (the George C. Scott version, thank you very much) — it’s all a very cheery backdrop to an otherwise dreary December.

I’m just not, you know, feelin’ it this year. As some of you know, my mom passed away a couple of months ago, so it will be the first Christmas without my parents, my dad having passed in 2009. It feels sort of … empty. Incomplete.

I’m a full-grown adult, to be sure, but it hits me at odd moments that I’m an orphan. No matter your age, it’s very strange to be parentless.

I’m also in deep denial that I’ll be hosting Christmas dinner. I’m panicking that I’m not panicking over the menu. Panicking, that is, between those moments of calm when I wonder, isn’t there something I’m forgetting? But we still have, what, 6 days?

Plenty of time! [Gulp!]

In the meantime, I’ll do what addicts do and turn to my drug of choice, which happens to be soup. Shrimp Tikka Masala soup is inspired by one of my favorite chicken dishes, the luscious, Indian-spice-scented Chicken Tikka Masala, only I usually prepare the soup with spiced, sauteed shrimp instead of chicken.

My favorite thing about tikka masala is the curry spice blend. I use my homemade garam masala, plus deep and smoky smoked paprika, and the entire kitchen just lights up with these irresistible spices as the soup cooks. Then coconut milk makes it creamy and lush.

Warm and fragrant, this soup is comfort food, and then some. Calm. Peaceful bliss. Mmmmm, a delicious hug in a bowl.

Umm, yeah, what day is it again?

Wait, what? The 19th?!  [Eeek!  Panic!  Freak Out!]

Karen xo

Print Recipe

5 from 5 votes

Shrimp Tikka Masala Soup

A flavorful and fragrant take on tikka masala, in soup form!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time35 minutes mins

Total Time45 minutes mins

Course: Soup

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: tikka masala soup

Servings: 4

Calories: 235kcal

Author: Karen Gibson

Ingredients

for the shrimp

• 3 tablespoons canola or sunflower oil, divided
• 1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• a few grinds of black pepper

for the soup

• 1 small onion , chopped
• 2 cloves garlic , peeled and minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh ginger , minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 28 ounces chopped or crushed tomatoes (I use the 26 ounce box of Pomi tomatoes)
• 3/4 cup instant brown rice
• 1/3 cup canned coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped, for garnish
• salt and pepper

Instructions

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a 4 or 5 qt. stock pot or dutch oven over medium. Season shrimp with the first five spices in the ingredients. Add to the pot when the oil shimmers in a single layer. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the first side is pink. Flip each shrimp and continue cooking until opaque (another 2 to 3 minutes). Remove to a plate and set aside.
• Add the remaining oil to the pot (heat still on medium). Add the onions and cook until soft and golden, scraping up any fond left behind by the shrimp. Add the garlic and ginger. Cook until fragrant (just a minute or two).
• Sprinkle in the curry powder, garam masala, smoked paprika, salt and flour, stirring to coat the vegetables, until a paste begins to form. Add one cup of vegetable broth and stir until the mixture has smoothed out. Add the remaining cup of broth and the tomatoes. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil, then return heat to medium how to retain a gentle simmer. Add the rice. Allow the soup to cook for 15 minutes.
• Turn heat to low and add the coconut milk and the reserved shrimp. Taste, and adjust for salt and pepper. Stir in the cilantro and ladle into serving bowls.

Notes

This soup will taste great with any grain you like in place of instant brown rice. I often use farro; quinoa is fantastic. Just extend the simmer time to fully cook the grains according to the package directions.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 235kcal

Nutritional information, if shown, is provided as a courtesy only, and is not to be taken as medical information or advice. The nutritional values of your preparation of this recipe are impacted by several factors, including, but not limited to, the ingredient brands you use, any substitutions or measurement changes you make, and measuring accuracy.

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