Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Tortilla Soup

 

I love a fabulous bowl of tortilla soup and there are plenty of places to get one in my hometown of San Antonio, TX. Many places serve variations of this soup which includes with tomatoes or without. I have to admit, I like mine with diced tomatoes. Making tortilla soup without tomatoes doesn't seem right to me. I'm all about the garnishes when it comes to this soup. Large slices of avocado, crumbled or shredded cheese and fried tortilla strips takes this soup over the top. This is my version of this classic soup.

Tortilla Soup:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 small onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
1 4 oz can diced green chilies
1 teaspoon of cumin, mexican oregano and ancho chili powder 
(You can substitute oregano for mexican oregano and chili powder for ancho chili powder)
4 cups chicken broth
1 14.5 oz can of fire roasted diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon cilantro, diced
4 small baked chicken breast, diced
Garnish:
fried corn tortilla strips or a handful of tortilla chips
1 avocado, sliced
Queso Panela (you can substitute Monterey jack cheese)
Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat olive oil. Add garlic and onion, cooking until translucent. Add in bell pepper and green chilies. Cook 4 minutes. Add in spices and mix well.  Add in tomatoes and chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add in diced chicken and cilantro and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Garnish with tortilla strips, cilantro and cheese.


Enjoy!




37 comments:

  1. Great Pic! (love the detail) I love that you do a broth base and not a creamy base. This soup is a staple in our house when Cedar Fever hits. Was just in San Antonio and could kick myself for not asking you where to go for good tex mex. Was super disappointed in the food and service at the most popular touristy place. Oh well would love your recommendations for next time.

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    1. Thank you! I try not to make mine hot, but if you really want to clear your sinuses, you can add a little cayenne:) As far as Tex-Mex food, we have a few favorites including: Paloma Blanca, Rosario's, La Fogata and El Mirasol. I'm sure there are plenty more:)

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  2. I agree. Load me up with chunk tomatoes in my tortilla soup! And I've never heard of Queso Panela. I love trying different cheeses so I'm putting this on my grocery list. I'm assuming it has a bit of a bite to it, similar to Monterey Jack? Delicious recipe Steph & what a great picture!

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    1. Thanks Ally. This was my first time using Queso Panela. It is moist and crumbles well, similar to Feta. It does have a little bit of a bit, similar to Monterey Jack. I normally use Queso Fresco, but this one was very good. I love trying different cheeses as well:)

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    2. Just wanted to let you know I picked up some Queso Panella for a Tex-Mex casserole I'm making tonight for supper. Can't wait to try it! Thanks again, Steph! And I think you're going to love PicMonkey. The labels, stickers & effects are really super. Have a great weekend!

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    3. Yay! I think you will like it. I appreciate your post about PicMonkey. I can't wait to try it out:)

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  3. Mmm, looks so good! I don't suppose I'd be allowed to use Ro-tel? :D I'm such a Texas girl at heart. As always, I made an involuntary sound as soon as I saw the new post. This one was somewhere between a hiccup and a gasp. What can I say? Avocado does it to me every time.

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    1. Many thanks Mary. Ro-tel is good in my book:) YUM, I love avocado as well. I appreciate your comment.

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  4. oh yum, i looooove tortilla soup + yours sounds + looks wonderful! + i agree - some crumbled cheese, avocado + crispy tortilla strips on top are a must!

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    1. Thanks Amy. I always feel deprived if I order a bowl of tortilla soup and it arrives without all the toppings. Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. That's some pretty tortilla soup! I make sopa de lima...a Yucatecan soup that's similar to tortilla soup, but with lots more lime! I love to get Tex-Mex at Rosario's, Los Barrios, and Sol y Luna.

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    1. Thank you Wendy! Sopa de lima sounds delish. I love lime in my soup, but the hubby, not so much:) Yes, Los Barrios is a favorite of my family as well.

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  6. I love tortilla soup with all of my heart! Numma numma. Pretty photo!

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    1. Thanks Renee. It is one of my favorite soups. Thanks for dropping by.

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  7. You can't go wrong with tortilla soup! Yum!!

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    1. So True! Our upcoming Fiesta in SA inspired me to make this soup...that and I love it:) Thanks for stopping by.

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  8. Oh, I do love all those add-ins, too! And I agree, I think tomato adds a depth of flavor. I like to use those roasted tomatoes when I can find them in my little rural grocery (or if I still have some from stocking up in the big city..lol) That picture just made my stomach roar.

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    1. Maggie, I try to make a big pot of this soup so I will have leftovers. I usually serve it as a side with some quesadillas. Thanks for the comment.

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  9. I really love tortilla soup, and yours looks especially delish! You're right, it's all about the toppings

    :)
    ButterYum

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    1. Thank you ButterYum! Yes, toppings are good:) Thanks for dropping by.

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  10. This sounds yummy good. Love to try it.
    Pat

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    1. Thank you Pat. I appreciate the comment. Thanks for stopping by.

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  11. Tortilla soup is a staple here. Yours looks delicious.

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    1. Thanks Sarah. It is hard to bet some the local restaurants tortilla soup, but you can't blame a girl for trying:)

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  12. This looks heavenly. I love making tortilla soup, even if I can get it down the street. La Fogata is definitely one of our favorites too.

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    1. Many thanks Meredith. Love the atmosphere and the margaritas at La Fogata. I appreciate you stopping by.

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  13. Your presentation for this Tortilla Soup is awesome. We would really enjoy your recipe, it looks great! Thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week end!
    Miz Helen

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    1. Thank you Miz Helen. I appreciate you stopping by. Hope you have a great weekend as well.

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  14. Yum...I love tortilla soup! Your recipe sounds really good. The idea of roasted tomatoes is new to me...I'll have to give that a try. Have a great weekend, Steph.

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    1. Thanks Cat. I recently discovered roasted tomatoes and I love them. They just add more depth of flavor. Hope you have a fantastic weekend as well. Have fun watching your owl. I have to get me an owl box one of these days:)

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  15. I don't even care that the weather here in LA is in the 90s this week. I am definitely making this soup! :)

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    1. 90 degrees already. WOW! We are having a pretty mild Spring. Thank goodness. Thanks for stopping by.

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  16. I love a big bowl of tortilla soup as well. I've never had or made a version without tomato, though. Guess I thought it was an essential ingredient. Glad to see you add avocado too- I think it's such a nice addition! Looks wonderful!

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    1. Thanks Shelley. Some restaurants serve more in as a clear broth, but tomato is an essential ingredient. Thanks for dropping by.

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  17. Thanks for the recipe, made it today, was yummy!

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