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Monday, January 24, 2011

The Quest Continues...with Good Neighbor Tortilla Soup

It has been EIGHT months since I decided to go on a quest to try as many different versions of Tortilla Soup as I could.  And asked you to help me.  Since I knew there was no way I could get to every version.  Probably with all of us working at it, it's still not possible.  But I tell ya what...I'm having an awesome time trying!  I'm developing a definite set of preferences...but...I'm not going to let you in on those quite yet.  I'm making notes and continuing observation and testing for now.  I'd hate to jump the gun,  ya know?  Those'll all end up in my big summary post down the line.  For now, let's just talk about this version- we'll call it the "good neighbor" version (after a cookbook I'm currently reviewing...more on that later in the week).    This is a brothier as opposed to creamy & thick soup base.  Okay, one hint...this is my favorite type of base to date.  The method if fairly straight forward with the tomato, onion, garlic, and chile that I've come to expect.  I think what really sets this version apart is the extent to which the flavors are built and developed.  Bone-in chicken breasts poached in chicken stock for a fortified, double-strength chicken punch.  Charred veggies lend smoky, earthy undertones.  And most surprising of all?  This is a bowl of mild soup. Mild!  Honestly, my first experience with Tortilla Soup that didn't pack a spicy one-two!  Yes, it's true...I like spice.  I like the warmth that creeps up on you unexpectedly...and occasionally the one that punches you square in the nose.  That said, I loved this calm, unassaulting version, too.  There's just so much flavor...and goodies...packed into each spoonful that it's hard to dismiss.  Yes, there are chiles in it, but they are mild pasillas.  They add the depth without the fire.  Join me in a warm bowl of Tortilla Soup?
"Good Neighbor" Chicken Tortilla Soup
yield: ~2½ qts.

for soup:
~3 lbs. bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned
8 c. low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock
3 pasilla chiles, seeded & stemmed
2 lbs. ripe tomatoes, quartered
1 small onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, peeled
¾ tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. freshly ground black pepper

for serving:
crushed tortilla chips or fried tortilla strips
cilantro, chopped
avocados, diced
freshly squeezed lime juice
queso fresco, cubed or crumbled

Place chicken in a large pot and pour the broth over it.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to lowest bubble and cook for ~20 minutes.  Turn off heat, allow to cool a bit.  Remove chicken and shred from bone, reserving chicken.  I then strained the resulting liquid through a coffee filter-lined strainer for clear broth.  Reserve 5 cups of broth for soup and use/save the rest for something else.

While the chicken is poaching, soak two of the pasilla chiles in hot water to soften for ~10 minutes, then drain.  Preheat the broiler.  Place tomatoes, onion, and garlic on a broiler pan or sheet of tin foil and broil until well charred, ~12-15 minutes.  Transfer veggies w/ their juices and the soaked pasillas to the jar of a blender and blend until smooth.  You will wind up w/ ~4 c. of puree.  The recipe didn't say to strain, but I pushed the puree through a strainer so we wouldn't have seeds & skins stuck in our teeth.  Simple, but meaningful step.
Combine the puree, reserved chicken broth, and salt & pepper in a large pot.  Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.  Slice the remaining pasilla chile and add to pot along w/ reserved chicken.  Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Serve with a bit of each of the garnish/toppings in each bowl. Enjoy. Immensely!
Photobucket
While I absolutely LOVED the method of poaching the chicken in broth, I thought the amount of chicken in the soup was actually a bit too much.  Next time, I'll still prepare the same amount, but I'll probably put aside half of the chicken for another use.  Or just eat it out of hand.  It's so tasty, that I actually will enjoy having the extra...as I do having the extra broth.  If you wanted to add heat to this version, I'd throw in a couple of jalapeños or serranos with the other veggies to char.  I need queso fresco in my Tortilla Soup.  I love the way it absorbs the hot liquid and gets sort of soft and squishy...it adds great texture.

I hope you'll join me on my QUEST...I have about four months remaining!

This post is linked to:
tortillasoupchallengegirlichef hearthandsoulgirlichef SouperSundays Thisweekscravings Tuesday Night Supper Club Photobucket
Real Food FIESTA Blog Carnival

Would you like to comment?

  1. Lookin good!!! I absolutely love tortilla soup now and I have you to blame...errrr...thank :) Cheers!!!

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  2. This tortilla soup looks really great with nice deep flavors.

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  3. I too love tortilla soup. Your recipe sounds delish. I have a different version you might want to try. It's my favorite way to make it!
    http://skinnykitchen.com/recipes/heavenly-chicken-tortilla-soup/

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  4. I'm loving your quest!!! I didn't discover tortilla soup until a few years ago, now I can't get enough!

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  5. Perfect dinner for these cold evenings..loved those avocado chunks :)

    US Masala

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  6. I love that...poaching in broth. Yes, I'll be your neighbor. Happy to accommodate!

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  7. I never made tortilla soup...yours look fabulous, love the spices in it...delicious!

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  8. This sounds incredible right now! I need a bowl of spicy soup to help clear my sinuses. I loved seeing those big chunks of chicken (but I probably would want a little less too!) Thank you for sharing your soup with me...I hope you have a great Tuesday...I'm already ready for the weekend :-)

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  9. Hi Heather! More Tortilla Yumminess from you! I do love the idea of the smokey veggies! Poaching chicken too is so much easier than sauteeing it and then putting it in and this ads such depth to the broth in terms of flavor and nutrition! Wonderful! Thanks for hosting and posting on the hearth and soul hop! :) hugs! Alex

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  10. Would love to try out this soup with my veggies.

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  11. I saw your link at the Tuesday Night Supper Club at Fudge Ripple and just had to come by. On a trip to Mexico many years ago I had the most amazing tortilla soup and have been wanting to recreate it ever since. I'm looking forward to giving this recipe and try, and to reading about the other recipes you've tried on your quest!

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  12. Just based on the looks of this baby, I can tell that it's a winner. I lvoe a good broth-based soup...especially one with so many delicious add-ins!

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  13. That strong broth has got to make this a top contender. We went to son Sean's house last Sunday and he made Rick's version. 2nd time I've had it and it was much better than I remember. I've come to the conclusion that all Tortilla soups and just plain good.

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  14. This looks really tasty! I am also a fan of the brothier base. And, I prefer heat to my tortilla soup, but this looks absolutely yummy! Good one!

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  15. Beth...it's heated, just not "heated"...as in not spicy. Is that what you meant? Sorry. I just didn't want you to think I was serving it cold. Forgive me if I'm being dense...I just wanted to clear that up. You know. Just in case. ;)

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  16. As usual, your photographs are making my mouth water! This sounds like a wonderful soup, and perfect for my family because they prefer the milder side of spicy. Thank you for sharing it!

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  17. The broth is my favorite part of a tasty soup like this. I like some heat in the soup as well as long as it doesn't make my eyes water. Your photos certainly make my mouth water.

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  18. That looks so good! I too love the queso fresco. It just adds a little something extra. So good!

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  19. I love your quest for the Tortilla Soup, as it is one of my favorite soups. I really like the idea of poaching the chicken. I am going to try that. Thank you so much for sharing and hosting the party!

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  20. I live vicariously through you and your search for the epitome of Tortilla Soup! This one looks awesome, especially with the chunks of avocado in that rich broth.

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  21. gorgeous, i love that rich red broth. keep the tortilla soups coming, they all look SO good!

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  22. That looks like a wonderful soup. Will have to give it a try.

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  23. Ok .. now you will fall off from your chair .. I never ever tried Tortilla soup :$
    But I saw your event and felt like giving it a try ;) and it was not that bad . But i guess you will be a better judge to say that.
    I will post the dish in my blog sometime today and will link it back to your event ... your suggestion will help me to work on my next tortilla soup !

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  24. Tortilla soup is one of my favorites! It has also been on my list of recipes to perfect for a couple of years now! I look forward to trying lots of the posted versions.
    Thanks for thinking of such a great theme!
    What about Albondigas next time?

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  25. Mmmmm...albondigas! Good idea, Andrea. I don't know...I've been trying to figure out what my next quest will be. I still have 4 months to figure it out...so I'm thinking :D

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  26. I do love tortilla soup, especially with avocado. (Actually I love pretty much anything with avocado.) This one sounds good with those charred veggies and pasillo peppers giving it flavor. :)

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  27. Again, this one looks so good! Will you choose a favorite when the quest is over?

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  28. Indeed, I will Melynda!! That's going to be tough, but hey... ;)

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  29. Oh, this one looks wonderful, very authentic. I agree tho, I like less chicken and more broth when it's this flavorful!

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  30. Definitely a warm and healthy soup...the avocado just makes it extra inviting :)

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  31. i am so with you on the brothy version of this soup...it just feels so much more authentic (although i have no idea if it is!) this looks wonderful. thank you for sharing your tortilla soup wisdom with tuesday night supper club!

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  32. Heather, this is better than watching an episode of America's test kitchen :) Thanks for keeping us updated at the Hearth and Soul hop, and thank you for hosting, too.

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  33. I so almost made this soup before settling on the crustless quiche instead. It looks delicious. Thanks for sending it to Souper Sundays and good to have another soup for your quest. ;-)

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  34. This is perfect for our Beat the Winter Blues link party. Come link it come! http://goodbycityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com

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  35. Coming at you from Beat the Winter Blues...

    This looks delicious! I love tortilla soup...

    <3

    Nicolette

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  36. thanks for linking to the party- indulge your sweet tooth is @ Moninvore's Dilemma on friday. I hope you link up for the other days of the party! http://goodbyecityhellosuburbs.blogspot.com

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