Description
Zesty Mexican spicy lemon fish soup delivers a coastal culinary adventure with bright, tangy flavors dancing across your palate. Sea-fresh fish and bold spices combine in a quick, nourishing bowl that transports you to sun-drenched Mexican shores.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound white fish fillets (cod, tilapia, or halibut)
- 4 cups fish or chicken broth
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup water
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 red chili pepper
- 1 cup diced carrots
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
Seasonings and Flavoring:
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Juice of 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup)
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a large pot and heat olive oil over medium temperature. Sauté chopped onions until translucent and softened, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce minced garlic and chili pepper into the pot, stirring continuously to release aromatic flavors and prevent burning, about 1-2 minutes.
- Pour fish or chicken broth into the pot, combining with diced tomatoes, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and red pepper flakes. Season with salt and black pepper according to preference.
- Bring liquid mixture to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce heat to create a steady simmer.
- Incorporate diced carrots and celery into the broth, allowing vegetables to tenderize for approximately 10 minutes.
- Carefully add fish pieces to the simmering liquid, cooking for 5-6 minutes until fish becomes opaque and easily separates with a fork.
- Remove pot from heat and brighten flavors by stirring in fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley or cilantro.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, adding additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice as needed for balanced flavor profile.
- Distribute soup into serving bowls, garnishing with delicate lemon slices and extra fresh herbs for visual appeal and enhanced taste.
Notes
- Customize heat levels by adjusting chili pepper and red pepper flakes for milder or spicier preferences.
- Select firm white fish like cod, halibut, or tilapia that holds shape during simmering without falling apart.
- Consider adding quinoa or rice for extra heartiness and to transform soup into a more substantial meal.
- Swap seafood with plant-based protein like tofu or chickpeas for vegetarian-friendly adaptation while maintaining similar flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Thai
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 145 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3.8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg