My favorite TORTILLA SOUP + the results of my Tortilla Soup Quest

Ummmmm.  I seem to be right back where I started.  In my eleventh post (over two and a half years ago), I shared tortilla soup.  The only version of tortilla soup that I'd tried up to that point.  The only version I needed.  Until, that is, I discovered that there were many other versions floating around out there.  Yes, of course I should have realized that there were more.  It's just that I wasn't looking.  "My" version brought us endless joy.  You think I'm exaggerating, right?  I promise you, I'm not.  However, once I did start seeing some other versions around, I decided that I needed to go on a quest to try as many different versions as I could in a year.  I knew I'd find more if I asked you to come along on my adventure.  There were some fantastic discoveries along the way.  I found many that I liked, a few that I loved, and some that were not all that great.  Wanna know the funny thing?  Even after all of the tasting and testing...my first favorite remains my current favorite.  This will always be the tortilla soup that all other tortilla soups must measure up to.  What can I say? 

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So.  This is how I like it.  Three main components:

1. the broth:  I prefer it brothy, not thick.  This is such a simple broth, but it's packed with flavor that just keeps getting better as it sits.  Sometimes, the simplest things really are the best.

Tortilla Soup Quest/Challenge roundup #6 (the final roundup)

Okay, so it took me FAR too long to get this final roundup posted, and for that, I apologize.  It's been madness around here this month. MADNESS, I say.  Today I will be sharing the final bowls of Tortilla Soup brought to my year-long quest to find the ultimate Tortilla Soup.  Just a roundup.  I will be doing a separate post soon (hopefully soon) in which I share observations and what I've learned after being exposed to an infinite variety of Tortilla Soup recipes...plus I will unveil MY favorite version after all this time.  So, without further ado, I bring you the final installment of Tortilla Soups from my quest.

First up is Carol from There's Always Thyme to Cook with a luscious, Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup that was topped with lime, sour cream, fire-roasted salsa, and avocado.

Faith from In the Kitchen with Butters made a tangy and tempting Tortilla Soup with Lime that puts a smile on my face just looking at it.

This Chicken Tortilla Soup from Erin at Art+Food+Life found that when it comes to Tortilla Soup, she enjoys a simple soup best.  Me too!

Claire from Chez Cayenne has a great suggestion...grill up some veggies for your meal one night, and then use the leftovers to make this fantastic version of Grilled Vegetable Tortilla Soup.  On my summer to-do list, for sure.

Another one I'll be sure to try is this mouth-watering Shredded Beef Tortilla Soup from Danielle at Cooking for my Peace of Mind.  Combined with earthy poblanos, green oregano, and dried pasillas, it's a sure-fire hit for me.

And to close the show on this final act of the year, I (Heather at girlichef) was inspired by that creamy version up top, but needed to add a little creeping heat to mine in my take on Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup w/ Chicken & Corn.  So tasty.

And that concludes the final roundup in my Tortilla Soup series.  A mondo thanks to everybody who participated, I couldn't have done it without all of your delicious help!  Stay tuned for the "Wrap-Up" post that will be coming soon...

Tortilla Soup Quest/Challenge roundup #5

ONE MONTH LEFT!
I can hardly believe that I started this quest almost a whole year ago.  Time definitely flies when you're having fun.  This is roundup numero cinco!  You  have linked up so many fantastic variations of Tortilla Soup over the last 11 months...and these are no exception.

I have been compiling a list of my favorite components to come up with my "ULTIMATE" version.  I hope to make a couple more versions in this last month...and to have as many more as possible linked up from YOU.  Yes, you!  Please join me in drooling over these bowls of Tortilla Soup...and hopefully adding more version to this caldo gigante!

Miranda from Mangoes and Chutney made a delicious Chicken Tortilla Soup that has "so much going on in this soup, it is fantastic. The white hominy gives it a flavor and texture I have never tasted before."  Okay.  I'm a believer!

Kate from Kate's Konfessions brought a Creamy Chicken Tortilla Soup sure to warm us up in the winter...or anytime for that matter!

Next up is Christi from Grey Umbrella with a Chicken Tortilla Soup she calls "the easiest chicken tortilla soup!  (It's) delicious and filling, plus it freezes well."  Yum.

And just when you were beginning to wonder how many versions of Chicken Tortilla Soup are actually out there, Judy from Savoring Today brings another version to the table!  She likens it to having a burrito in a bowl and shares some great tips on how to make the best version possible.

Over at Uncanny Goodness, Milda put time and thought into her Roasted Chicken Tortilla Soup.  From the roasting of the chicken to the layering of the flavors, she brings us a fabulous SUPERbowl!

AmiNYC says "This soup comes together so quickly, you’re done almost as soon as you start. Everything in one pot, everything at one time. Can’t possibly be easier than that."  Check out her delicious Tortilla Soup with toasted spices I can almost smell from here over at From the Bookshelf.

Glennis of Can't Believe We Ate brings us Christina's World Famous Tortilla Soup, of which she says "Seriously yum...this is one of the very best Tortilla soups I’ve ever had.  So far."

Next up is this gorgeous Low Calorie Chicken Tortilla Soup brought to us by Candy of Eating Well on the Road, who developed this version because she loves a good hearty Tortilla Soup, but not the calories and sodium that sometimes accompany it.

Inspired by the film Tortilla Soup, my friend Deb from Kahakai Kitchen decided to go nuevo and bring some beautiful "arty" bowls of Tortilla Soup.  Not only was it tempting to the eyes, but also satisfying and delicious in the belly. I'm loving the guacamole in the bowl. So fun!

Trying my first version that was actually sort of sweet and laced with cinnamon here at girlichef, I loved the deep red satisfying broth in this Ancho Chicken Tortilla Soup.

I hope you'll join me in the last month of my quest to find the ULTIMATE TORTILLA SOUP!

Tortilla Soup Quest/Challenge Roundup #4

It's Tortilla Soup time again!  This month's roundup is a bit smaller...but no less delicious.  I think people were very busy with holiday cooking and baking, so Tortilla Soup was put on the back-burner for a while.  I'm just over 8 months into my quest now.  So far we've seen 37 versions of this glorious dish.  That is downright AMAZING!  I want to thank all of you who have jumped in with both feet and joined me.  As I said, I've never be able to sample so many versions alone.  I've been learning a lot about what components "make" the soup.  Personally.  I have been recording my observations and listening to your thoughts, as well.  The final post after the quest ends in May is going to be a doozy!!

Check out these versions that were made over the last couple of months...
and please join me at ANY TIME from now until THE END OF MAY '11.  Simply click on the logo below for all of the details.

Candi from Family, Stamping, and FOOD! made a tame (ie...safe for the little ones) version of Mexican Chicken Tortilla Soup that sounds and looks fantastic...both for the little ones and the big ones ;)

Katie from Mexican Wildflower joins me again with an almost exact reproduction of her all-time favorite Tortilla Soup from La Hacienda Restaurant.  La Hacienda's Tortilla Soup...simple...delicious...perfection!

Kim from Liv Life made a pot of Chicken Tortilla Soup for her family that warmed not just their bodies...but their hearts as well...and reaffirming that spending time together and soup are always good things.

I was truly amazed by the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this "Good Neighbor" Tortilla Soup since it had no "heat" to it.  It did, however, have layer upon layer of complexity and wonderful flavors which won me over!

Kankana from Sunshine & Smile definitely made the most unique version I've ever laid eyes on with her  Spaghetti Tortilla Soup!

In her quest to recreate her own favorite version of Chicken Tortilla Soup from a restaurant years ago, Carla from Recipe Addict came up with this version that has a rich, smoky depth of flavor...sure to warm her up on those cold Florida(!!) nights.

My tummy is growling.  I'm off to try another versions.  A big round of applause for all six of the TASTY versions featured this time!!  Keep 'em coming!  Please feel free to link up any older Tortilla Soup posts, as well.  Simply add a link back to my CHALLENGE POST and then add the specific post url to the linky.  I do a roundup every couple of months. 
Tortilla Soup never goes out of style!

Tortilla Soup Quest roundup #3 (&Tortilla Soup #8 from ATK)

Thanks so much to everybody who joined in on my quest to find the ULTIMATE Tortilla Soup since I started this challenge...I have found so many amazing and varied versions!  Each one has made my mouth water, in turn...and there's still half a year to go.  This is the third roundup in the series...check out these delicious versions from the past couple months of the quest!  Simply click on title of soup in photo caption to go directly to each Tortilla Soup post and recipe!

Wendy from Around My Family Table warmed up from some crazy storms with her Chicken Tortilla Soup.  She says... "We love this soup. It is so quick and easy to put together, even at the last minute because I usually have everything on hand. I love those type of dishes, don't you?" Why yes, yes, I do.

Chicken Tortilla Soup from Around My Family Table

I'm not sure why I'd never thought to make a Tortilla Soup in my slow cooker, but once I saw that Kim from The Ungourmet post her slow cooker version, I knew it was in my future! This was her "first attempt at tortilla soup and I have to say, it was pretty darn good." Indeed.

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup from The Ungourmet

The Soup queen herself, Deb from Kahakai Kitchen included her quick & easy blender version of Tortilla Soup in her Souper Sundays: Year in Soup post using her VitaMix.  Of this version...and she's tried others...she says, "Simple, fast and full of great flavor.  It is amazing how quickly the blender makes a satisfying, tasty soup."  I want a VitaMix---and this soup!

Quick & Easy Blender Tortilla Soup from Kahakai Kitchen

Christy from Fudge Ripple tried her first Tortilla Soup at a Mexican tourist trap once upon a time, and since she "can't just hop a plane to Mexico when a craving hits..."  she makes her own version "which closely resembles my memory of the perfect tortilla soup.  Now if I could just conjure up a spell that could mimic the fresh sea breeze....life would be perfect."  Ah yeah, yours and mine both, my friend ;-)...because I'd totally make you share that spell with me!

Fudge Ripple's Favorite Tortilla Soup

When Alex from A Moderate Life conjures up memories of Tortilla Soup from her favorite Mexican restaurant and heads into the kitchen, results are fabulous with her creamy version of this classic...she says "The soup is a cream based bisque with a few shreds of tortilla sprinkled across the top. It is simply amazing and defies description. All I know is when I taste it, and by the way, they gave us a free taste the first time we came in for dinner, as they obviously know it will sell itself 10 times over, but I digress, when I taste it, my heart opens up and my soul says “Ya baby!”." I concur.

A Moderate Life's Creamy Tortilla Soup

Although she gives her daughter credit for this recipe, it was Brenda's big bowl of tortilla soup with chicken over at Sense of Home that had my mouth watering!  She says..."This soup is so amazingly fresh and tasty, it wakes up your taste buds.  What is really great is this takes so little time to make you can easily make this after work.  The key is to plan ahead so you have the fresh ingredients on hand."  I'm pretty sure I could eat this version any meal---any day!  I'm all about planning ahead.  Sometimes.

Chicken Tortilla Soup from Sense of Home

Debbie from The Friday Friends brings her second submission to my challenge with this delicious Black Bean Tortilla Soup...and it was a bit "healthified" compared to her previous attempt. She says, "I was prepared not to like it.  Not to like it at all...until, the Handyman said, "this is really good", So I tasted it and guess what?  I liked it too!  It had a great taste.  A great broth and some fresh chilies and lime.  We both had seconds."  Sheesh, after that, I just wish I had firsts!

Black Bean Tortilla Soup from The Friday Friends

Of her super simple Tortilla Soup, Audrey from Homemaking On A Whim says "I love this recipe. Seriously, it's just about my favorite recipe ever. It's delicious, and better yet, EASY. I always have the stuff to make it on hand, and I usually have at least a couple of the toppings on hand as well. " Personally, I was intrigued by the use of Italian Dressing and Tomato Sauce in her version...go check it out!

A super simple Tortilla Soup from Homemaking On A Whim

Although she didn't include a picture in this post, Katie from Mexican Wildflower totally had my mouth watering with her delicious Sopa de Tortilla Verde...a green version...sure to become a fast favorite!

Using some Pace Picante Sauce that I (Heather from girlichef) received as a product to try and review, I made a Spicy Southwest Tortilla Soup that was simple, tasty, and definitely worth making again.

Spicy Southwest Tortilla Soup from right here at girlichef

I am convinced that the Madison House Chef is on the same wavelength as me, because using leftover turkey and turkey stock from Thanksgiving was totally swimming around in my mind when I opened up her post in which she used both in her version of Tortilla Soup...yum!

The Madison House Chef brings us a Tortilla Soup w/ turkey

Thanks so much for joining me everybody!  Don't forget, the quest continues for another six months, so keep 'em coming!!
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Here's the latest version I tried...good...but not the best...

Tortilla Soup

from Cooking at Home with America's Test Kitchen

makes ~9 c.

tortilla strips

8 (6") corn tortillas, cut into ½" wide strips

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

salt

soup

4 bone-in, skin on chicken thighs (~1¼ lbs.), skin removed and well trimmed of excess fat

8 c. low-sodium chicken broth

1 very large white onion (~1 lb.), trim, peel & quarter

4 medium garlic cloves, peeled

2 sprigs fresh epazote

salt

2 medium tomatoes, cored & quartered

½ medium jalapeño

1 chipotle chile in adobo, plus up to 1 Tbs. adobo sauce

1 Tbs. vegetable oil

garnishes

lime wedges

avocado, peel, pit & dice

monterey jack, diced

fresh cilantro leaves

jalapeño chile, minced

For tortilla strips:  Adjust an oven rack to middle position; heat to 425°F.  Spread tortilla strips on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with oil and toss until evenly coated. Bake until strips are deep golden brown and crisped, ~14 mins, rotating and shaking pan halfway through.  Sprinkle lightly with salt and transfer to paper towel lined plate.

For the soup:  While the tortilla strips bake, bring the chicken, broth 2 onion quarters, 2 garlic cloves, the epazote, and ½ tsp. salt to a boil over med-high heat in a large saucepan; reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until chicken is just cooked through, about 20 mins.  Transfer chicken to a large plate.  Pour broth through a fine-mesh strainer; discard the solids in the strainer.  When cool enough to handle, shred chicken into bite-size pieces; discard the bones.

Purée tomatoes, remaining onion and garlic, jalapeño, chipotle chile, and 1 tsp. of adobo sauce in food processor until smooth.  Heat oil in Dutch oven over high heat until oil shimmers.  Add purée & 1/8 tsp. of salt, and cook, stirring frequently until mixture has darkened, ~10 mins.  Stir in strained broth and bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer to blend flavors, ~15 mins.  Taste and add more adobo sauce if desired.  Add shredded chicken and simmer until heated through, ~5 mins.

To serve, place tortilla strips in bottom of bowl, ladle in hot soup, and pass garnishes.

*(speaking of the soup queen...) I'm sending this soup over to my friend, Deb at Kahakai Kitchen for Souper Sundays this week!

*Be sure to enter my Tate's Bake Shop Cookbook & Cookie Gift Pack Giveaway by Sunday Dec. 12...it's good stuff...keep it or check someone off your holiday shopping list!*

Another Tortilla Soup Round-up (#2)! Plus a kinda-sorta-mini review of....

The Quest continues!  Which quest you ask?  Why, my quest to find THE BEST version of Tortilla Soup around if it's even possible to narrow it down.  About 5 months ago I put out a call for help...because I can't finish my quest alone...I need all of the Tortilla Soup makers, testers, and slurpers that I can to make different versions and send them along for me to add to the seemingly endless list!  So, in case you hadn't heard... Calling all soup addicts!!  Soup Addicts!! Please make a version of tortilla soup and then blog about it and link it up so that I can torture myself a little bit more.  If you're interested, simply click on that button.  The one below these words.  You can get the nitty-gritty there.  Check out all of the Tortilla Soup that was made since last time...

Rebecka of At Home with Rebecka brought her own Tortilla Soup which is chock-full of glorious goodies such as roasted chiles, corn, chicken breast, pintos, and tequila...just to name a few! Also...Rebecka is hosting Culinary Smackdown: Battle Chile this month...so I challenge you to use some glorious chiles in your own Tortilla Soup and send it to both of  us ☺!

Rebecka's Tortilla Soup from Rebecka of At Home with Rebecka

I ...Heather...from right here... came up with a super fast, super simple, super flavor-packed bowl of green goodness...with big, fat squares of fried tortillas. YUM!  A definite front runner.

Quick & Green Tortilla Soup from me (Heather) of girlichef

The day was cloudy and rainy when Laura from The Cooking Photographer put together this vegetarian version of tortilla soup that is so packed with rich goodness she swears you'll never be able to tell it's missing meat.  I bet I'd agree, because some of my favorite versions are meatless!

Vegetarian  Tortilla Soup from Laura of  The Cooking Photographer

Katie from Mexican Wildflower...who happens to be a missionary at a deaf school in Baja- and I just think that is so cool...made a pot of tortilla soup in the midst of Bicentennial celebrations. Awesome!

A gorgeous red Tortilla Soup from Katie of  Mexican Wildflower

After having tried Tortilla Soup for the first (!!!) time, Debbie of The Friday Friends made a replica of a famous version and says... "Seriously tho, this soup was really, really, really good.  I could have eaten it for 3 more days... mmmm,mmmm good." Gotcha Debbie ;-)

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Houston's Tortilla Soup from Debbie of The Friday Friends

Andrea of Andrea the Kitchen Witch used up some things in her kitchen to make some soup and came up with a keeper.  She says, "I've made tortilla soup many times and it always follows the same basic recipe. And its usually good, not great, but good. This tortilla soup, however, was amazingly good. What a taste sensation! It was the first time that I added lime, something I'll never leave out again. Other than the chicken stock, this soup contains no meat. Between the beans and toppings I guarantee you'll never miss the meat. I cook corn tortillas into my soup, rather than just garnishing the top with them. After all, this is tortilla soup!"  Yes it is, Andrea.  Yes. it. is.

A super flavor-packed Tortilla Soup from Andrea-The Kitchen Witch

Pam from Sidewalk Shoes has EXCELLENT taste...I mean, when speaking of my all-encompassing love of Tortilla Soup, she wholeheartedly agrees with me..."Seriously.  I could eat this every week and never grow tired of it.  I don’t know what I like more, the soup, or the accompaniments.  It’s really the perfect soup." Told you all so!  Pam tested an Ina version that I've heard great things about in the past.

Mexican Chicken (Tortilla) Soup from Pam at Sidewalk Shoes

Dr. Dan of 101 Cooking for Two christens his new soup pot with a quick (and delicious) version of Tortilla Soup based on a version from Taste of Home.  Man.  Is anybody else's stomach growling!?

Quick Tortilla Chicken Vegetable Soup from Dr. Dan at 101 Cooking for Two

I think every version looks totally tantalizing (alliteration is awesome...as is assonance...) and wish I could try each one myself...but since I can't, I'm so glad you all tested them for me!  Cuz I know you did it for me.  Pshaw...

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...and now for a kinda-sorta-mini-review of Qdoba "Mexican" Restaurant. And I say "Mexican" because it is Mexican in the way that Taco Bell is Mexican.  Only it's more expensive.  Not to say it wasn't decent.  I mean, it was ah-ight for fast food.  Taco Bell rocks when you're drunk...and I imagine Qdoba would, too.  Mexi and I both ordered a combo, which included a quesadilla and a bowl of "Tortilla" Soup.  There I go with the " " again!  Just look.  You'll understand completely.  I'll start with the quesadilla.  Yeah, I can make a frickin' mean quesadilla...and for WAY less than I paid for this one...

Yes, it was cheesy...so that won it a few bonus points. Otherwise...  Can I now show you Qdoba's "Tortilla" Soup?  Okay.  Brace yourself.  No really.  Oh! And look closely...what do you or rather don't you see?

Yeah.  So I hereby disqualify it from the Tortilla Soup category.  I'm sorry to all the Qdoba lovers out there.  Sorry that you've never eaten a bowl of actual Tortilla Soup.  Don't be a hater.  I'm still your friend.  By a thread.  BUT WAIT!  I did find something that would fit their Mexican label...

...this hereby concludes my kinda-sorta-mini review of Qdoba "Mexican" Restaurant.

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If I ruffled your feathers and you want to defend your beloved Qdoba-style Tortilla Soup...then I urge you to do so through a recreation and a blog post.  That'll show me.  Just don't forget to link it up to the Quest so I can give it a second chance.  I'm totally open-minded like that.  And as always...I'm open to ANY VERSION of Tortilla Soup as long as it contains tortillas in some shape or form!.  Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! I'll round 'em all up again once I've gotten a fair amount of new entries ☺.