Ingredients

• 1 pound jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, shells reserved
• 8 cups seafood stock
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small white onion, diced
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tomato, seeded and diced
• 4 dried chiles de arbol, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Mexican dried shrimp powder (optional)
• Lime wedges, for serving (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring the reserved shrimp shells and seafood stock to a boil in a large pot. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered, 20 minutes, stirring and skimming the surface occasionally. Strain the broth into a large bowl, pressing on the solids with the back of a spoon to release as much liquid as possible. Return the broth to the pot and keep warm.
2. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the carrot, celery and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 7 minutes. Stir in the tomato and chiles de arbol and cook 5 more minutes. Stir in the tomato paste and dried shrimp powder and cook 3 minutes.
3. Add the cooked vegetables to the broth. Cook over medium-low heat, covered, 1 hour, 30 minutes. Add the shrimp. Turn off the heat and let stand 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are cooked through. Serve with lime wedges.
4. Photograph by Yunhee Kim