Authentic Mexican Tortilla Soup Recipes

MEXICAN TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the ancho pepper and water; let stand for 20 minutes or until pepper is softened. Drain and discard water; set pepper aside., In a large saucepan, heat 1 in. of oil to 350°. Add half of the tortilla strips; cook and stir until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining tortilla strips; set aside., Drain saucepan, reserving 2 teaspoons of oil. In reserved oil, cook the onion, garlic and ancho pepper over low heat until onion is golden brown, about 7 minutes. Remove from the heat; cool slightly. Transfer to a food processor; add tomatoes. Cover and process until smooth., Return mixture to the pan. Cook, uncovered, over medium heat until mixture has thickened to the consistency of tomato paste, 10 minutes. Add broth; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes., Add the cilantro, salt and, if desired, cayenne. Divide cheese and avocado among six bowls; top with the soup, tortilla strips and quartered lime slices.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• Boil the chicken, then shred it and set aside the water to use as the chicken stock (you can use canned chicken stock if you prefer).
• Blend together the roasted tomatoes, garlic cloves, onion and ancho chili.
• Add the above mixture to the chicken stock with a small amount of olive oil and bring to a boil.
• Let simmer for 25 minutes.
• While the soup is simmering, fry the tortilla strips and set aside.
• Add the tortilla strips and the shredded chicken to the bowl and then add the soup.
• Garnish with the avocado, crema, cheese, chopped cilantro, and lime.

CLASSIC TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• For the soup: Heat a heavy saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the garlic, tomatoes, onion and New Mexico chile in the pan. Using tongs, turn the vegetables occasionally during cooking to ensure charring on all sides. Remove the vegetables once slightly blackened on all sides, about 10 minutes. Remove the peel from the garlic. Add the charred vegetables to the blender with the tortilla pieces and 2 cups chicken broth. Blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a large saucepan and add the remaining 4 cups chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a boil; reduce the heat and simmer, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• For the tortilla strips: In a medium, heavy skillet, pour enough oil to reach a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat over medium-high heat until very hot but not smoking. Add the tortilla strips in batches and fry until golden and crisp, about 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
• To serve: Ladle the soup into 6 individual serving bowls. Serve with sour cream, avocados, cheese, tortilla strips, cilantro and lime wedges on the side.

SOPA DE TORTILLA (REAL MEXICAN TORTILLA SOUP)

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large pan or wok over medium-high heat. Add tortilla strips in batches and fry until brown and crispy, 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels.
• Fry pasilla chiles in the same pan, being careful not to burn them, until browned, about 2 minutes. Remove from oil and drain on paper towels.
• Combine 1 fried pasilla pepper, tomatoes, onion, garlic, and oregano in a blender; blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve into a bowl.
• Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add tomato mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Pour in water and bring to a boil. Stir in chicken granules and parsley. Cover and simmer over low heat until flavors are well combined, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and discard parsley.
• Divide fried tortilla strips among 4 bowls. Pour soup on top of tortilla strips and garnish with diced avocado and cotija cheese. Cut remaining fried pasilla peppers into thin strips and sprinkle over soup. Add Mexican crema to each bowl.

AUTHENTIC MEXICAN TORTILLAS

Steps:

• Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Either by hand or with a pastry cutter, cut in the shortening till the mixture is crumbly. If the mixture looks more floury than crumbly, be sure to add just one or two more tablespoons of shortening till it is crumbly. Add about 3/4 cup hot water to the mixture, or just enough to make the ingredients look moist.
• With your hand or a large fork, knead the mixture making sure to rub the dough against the sides of the large mixing bowl to gather any clinging dough. If the dough still sticks to the side of the bowl, add a couple more tablespoons of flour until the dough forms a soft round shape. The dough is ready to roll out now, but it is best to let it rest. Cover it with a dish towel, and let it sit for about an hour or so.
• Take the dough, and pull it apart into 10 to 12 balls. Lightly flour your rolling area, and roll each ball with a rolling pin to about 1/8 inch thickness.
• Place each tortilla on a medium hot cast iron skillet. Cook for about 1 to 2 minutes on each side, or until the tortilla does not look doughy.

CROCK POT TORTILLA SOUP

Steps:

• Pour all canned goods (do not drain them) into 3 qt crock pot. Add crushed tortilla chips. Set to cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. If desired - you can add 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken in the last hour.
• Spoon into bowls -- top with crushed tortillas, sour cream, avocado dices, cheese, etc -- let your imagination go wild.