Big Ed's Cajun Soup

I knew I would like this recipe just by looking at the ingredients.  It was simple to make and tasty.  The only problem I had was that the rice absorbed the broth of this soup.  So MY TIP:  make the rice separate from the soup and add right before serving.


1 Tablespoon butter
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1 clove garlic
3 cups V 8 juice
1 8 ounce bottle of clam juice
1/2 cup water
1/4 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flake
1 bay leaves
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup long grain rice (uncooked)
3/4 pound shrimp
hot sauce to taste

1. Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Saute green bell pepper, onions, and garlic until tender. Stir in vegetable juice, clam juice, and water. Season with thyme, basil, red pepper, bay leaf, and salt. Bring to a boil, and stir in rice. Reduce heat, and cover. Simmer 15 minutes, until rice is tender.
2. Stir in shrimp, and cook 5 minutes, or until shrimp are opaque. Remove the bay leaf, and season with hot sauce
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