posts may contain Amazon affiliate links, which earn me a small commission when you buy (but doesn't cost you anything extra). Occasionally I receive free products and/or run sponsored posts—this will always be stated clearly in the post. Thank you for supporting this blog.

This website contains some quotations, excerpts, and screen clips from copyrighted material. These uses fall well within the copyright doctrine of "Fair Use".
Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Sopa de Jitomate y Rajas / Roasted Tomato Soup with Poblanos {she made, ella hace}

When Leslie and I were trying to decide what we wanted to make for she made, ella hace this month, my brain could only muster "soup".  All I could picture were hands cupping a bowl with steam rising from the top.

You'd get a good idea why if you took a gander out my window today.  White as far as the eye can see.  Small plants drooping heavy with the weight of the snow.  Not much movement, aside from the eerily large crows flying past the barren branches set against a grey sky.

And if by chance you were brave stepping outside, you would probably turn tail before you could get your second foot out the door.  With the temperature sitting at a balmy 3 (wind chill making it feel like -15), well... Even the schools didn't open their doors today.

What better way to spend the day than sitting indoors, looking out at the beautiful snow, slurping a bowl of soup.  And if by chance you were to be slurping on THIS soup, you would probably even start stripping off some layers.  Perhaps don your tank tops and bermuda shorts.
Not only is it warm... it's spicy!  A thin film of sweat on your forehead.  Small beads across your upper lip.  You'll forget all about that ill-guided attempt to venture outdoors.

In case you hadn't guessed, Leslie and are bringing steaming bowls of Tomato Soup to the table for she made, ella hace today.  My version is not the one that normally comes to mind when you think tomato soup.  Instead of being thick and rich and creamy, it is brothy and earthy and very spicy - with noodles of roasted poblanos lacing every spoonful.  It is unexpected, but entirely welcome.  Don't forget the cubes of fresh, slightly salty cheese and a few tortilla chips for little variety in texture.  This will change the way you look at tomato soup.

But what I'd really love is to have a double-feature in front of me.  One small bowl of this, and one small bowl of Leslie's beautiful Homemade Tomato Soup.  Slip me a grilled cheese and I might think I was in heaven.

Roasted Tomato Soup w/ Poblanos (Sopa de Jitomate y Rajas)

by Heather Schmitt-González
Prep Time: 25-30 minutes
Cook Time: 30-45 minutes
Keywords: simmer roast soup/stew chiles tomatoes Mexican

Ingredients (serves 4-6)
  • 2½ lbs. Roma tomatoes
  • 1 lb. Poblanos
  • 1 Tbs. olive oil
  • 2 small onions, sliced ¼" thick
  • 4 fat cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp. dried Mexican oregano
  • 6 c. beef stock or good beef broth
  • salt
  • queso fresco, storebought or homemade, cubed
  • tortilla chips or fried tortilla strips
Instructions
Set the tomatoes on a baking sheet that has been lined with foil and place 4-inches below a very hot broiler. Roast until the skins are blackened on one side, and then flip and repeat; it should take ~6 minutes per side. Set aside and allow to cool. Peel the skins off the tomatoes and place the tomatoes and their juices in the jar of a blender or food processor, and process to a coarse puree.

Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame, or below a broiler until blackened on all sides, 5-10 minutes total. Cover the roasted chiles with a clean kitchen towel and allow to stand and steam for at least 5 minutes. Peel, pull out the stem and seeds. Rinse briefly to remove little bits of skin and seeds. Slice the roasted chiles into strips that are ~¼-inch wide.
Heat oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, add onion and cook, stirring often, until slightly browned, ~5 minutes. Add garlic and oregano and cook for another minute. Add roasted poblano strips, stir, and heat through.

Add the tomato puree to the pot and cook, stirring often, until thick and reduced, ~7 minutes. Stir in the broth, partially cover, and reduce heat to medium-low; simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and add salt, if needed.

Serve the soup with cubes of queso fresco and some tortilla chips/strips. Enjoy!

adapted from Rick Bayless's Mexican Kitchen
Powered by Recipage
What happens when two American girls who are both married to Mexican guys find out that although one of them lives in the U.S. and one of them lives in Mexico, they both love eating the same food?  Well, naturally they decide to get "together" the only way they can and cook up the same dishes.  Or perhaps take the same ingredients and talking about them in their own voice or using them in their own way. 

Leslie and I have teamed up to occasionally cook/bake/make a our own versions of the same food.  We want to see how similar (or how different) they turn out.  Other times we will pick an ingredient and use it however we choose...or maybe just talk about it.  Good food knows no borders and we hope to share the food we love with you.  It's not a competition, it's a showcase.  We will post on the same day as each other and would love to hear your thoughts on what we've made and how you make it. 

Join me (here at girlichef) and Leslie in her kitchen (at La Cocina de Leslie) for some delicious food.
She Made, Ella Hace Banner- girlichef.com and lacocinadeleslie.com

I am sharing this post with:
FOTMC: Soups
FOTM at La Cocina de Leslie Souper_Sundays2