CAMPECHANA: MEXICAN SEAFOOD SOUP

Campechana: Mexican Seafood Soup image

Provided by Misses Wilson

Time 1h

Yield 25-30 bowls, 25-30 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

3 lbs seafood (call around to your local grocers seafood section they will most likely have a frozen mix. You want )
1 whole cucumber, peeled and finely diced
3 large tomatoes, finely diced
1 large onion, finely diced
1 bunch cilantro, finely chopped
5 jalapenos, finely chopped (I only used 2 very small ones)
2 avocados, chopped (love it so I used 3 firm ones so they wouldn't get musshie)
2 tablespoons vinegar
4 limes, juice of
4 cups seafood stock (don't purchase separately you make your own!)
3 cups vegetable juice
1 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon cumin
salt and pepper

Steps:

Boil seafood mix in 4 to 5 cups of water for 5 to 10 minutes.
Drain, setting aside broth.
Cool both seafood and broth.
Prepare tomatoes, onions, cilantro, cucumbers and jalapenos.
In a large bowl, mix well. Add seafood mix.
Add vinegar and juice from limes, broth, ketchup and vegetable juice.
Season with cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
Add avocados.
Serve with tostadas or saltine crackers. (I served it with extra sour sourdough crusty rolls).
TIPS:.
1) I purchased the seafood as a mix from Food4less for around $3.50 a pound. It was already pre-sliced and ready to go. This is a more economical and convenient alternative than purchasing the oysters, squid and such individually.
2) Most recipes call for Clamato juice but since we are using the broth that absorbed the flavors from the seafood when they were boiled, vegetable juice such as V-8 will do.
3) Beware! I found the 5 jalapenos called for in this recipe to be beyond my "spice" tolerance. Modify the amount according to taste.
4) Of course, get a cold bottle of Corona beer and enjoy!