Tortilla Soup

Serves: 3

Rowena Kautzer

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

49

Spice

52

Sweetness

52

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

4 cups

Chicken Broth

3 tbsps

Cornstarch

Directions:

1

Begin with a large pot

2

Saute the vegetables and chile briefly in about 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium-high heat for 3 to 4 minutes

3

When the vegetables are limp, add the broth and add the garlic and cumin and bring to a boil

4

Reduce heat, add chicken, and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes

5

Meanwhile (or beforehand), fry the corn tortilla strips in 350 degree F oil for 2 minutes until crispy

6

Drain well on paper towels

7

At the Blue Corn Cafe, we always have tons of chips around so we used crushed ones for garnish on the bottom of the soup bowl

8

The strips are added at the top

9

We, of course, use white and blue corn tortillas

10

If for some reason the blue variety are not available where you live, I suggest you immediately draft a letter to your Congressman! Yes, you can use all white or yellow tortillas

11

To finish the soup, you've got to make some slurry

12

Yep

13

This will add just a little body to the soup

14

With the cornstarch in a cup-sized container, mix as little cold water as possible to form a thin paste

15

This stuff feels and looks like

16

Well, slurry

17

Bring the soup back up to a boil; stir with 1 hand and pour the slurry in slowly with the other

18

Continue to cook on high heat for a minute, then reduce to low

19

The soup will look cloudy at first but will clear up and thicken slightly

20

Remove from heat

21

Add cilantro and lime juice

22

Fill 8 to 12 cups or bowls about 1/4 full of crushed tortilla chips

23

Ladle soup on top

24

Place a handful of strips on top of each and serve

25

This soup (without the tortillas) keeps well for 3 to 4 days refrigerated

26

Tortillas will also keep well for a few days if sealed well and stored at room temperature

27

In moist climates they may require re-crisping in a 350 degree F oven for a few minutes

28

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken (breast, leg, or thigh) 1/2 cup diced yellow onion 1/2 cup medium-dice green bell peppers 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves 2 teaspoons oregano leaves 3 tablespoons finely chopped garlic 2 teaspoons salt 2 teaspoons white pepper 4 cups (1 quart) water This "machaca" style cooked meat is very versatile: use in tacos, enchiladas, soup, nachos, burritos, etc

29

Basically a process of braising, the meat and all ingredients are put together in a large pot and brought slowly to a boil

30

Reduce the heat and simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours

31

If you desire, you can bake all of this in a covered dish in a 350 degree F

32

Oven for about 3 hours for the same results

33

The meat should be tender to the point where it begins to shred

34

Some of it may require quick chopping

35

You may want to reserve the liquid for use in soups, etc

36

Use the cooked meat in your dish right away or refrigerate for up to 3 days