Potato Soup with Spicy Shrimp

Prep :  30 minutes ... Cook : 1 hour  ...Makes 10 servings
1/2 ............... .cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 medium shallots, thinly sliced
(1 cup).......... .Kosher salt
1-1/2..............pounds Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
1.................... 8-ounce baking potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
7 .....................cups chicken stock or low-sodium broth
1-1/4................pounds medium shrimp—shelled, deveined and halved horizontally
2 .................... teaspoons Turkish red-pepper paste or harissa
2 .....................scallions, thinly sliced

1)             In a large pot, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes and cook, stirring, until barely softened, about 5 minutes. Add the chicken stock and simmer over moderate heat until the potatoes are tender, about 20 minutes. Strain the broth into a heatproof bowl and transfer the shallots and potatoes to a blender. Add 1/4 cup of the olive oil and 1 cup of the broth and puree until smooth. Return the puree to the pot. Stir in the remaining broth and season with salt. Bring the soup back to a simmer over moderate heat.

2)          In a medium bowl, toss the shrimp with the pepper paste and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season with salt. Add the shrimp to the soup and cook just until they are pink and curled, about 1 minute. Ladle the soup into bowls, garnish with the scallions and serve.

Suggested Pairing :This soup is incredibly smooth and luscious. Serve it with a lively sparkling wine to give it a little lift, or pair it with an equally silky still white wine.
Heart healthy