Martha Rose Shulmans Tortilla Soup
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon mild chili powder
- 2 plump garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (14-ounce) can chopped tomatoes, drained
- Salt to taste
- 1 1/2 quarts garlic broth
- 8 corn tortillas, cut in strips
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Pinch of cayenne (optional)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/4 cup grated Gruyere or crumbled queso fresco
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a heavy soup pot over medium heat and add the onion.
- Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the chili powder and stir together for a minute, then add the garlic and continue to cook, stirring, for another minute, until fragrant.
- If the pan seems dry and the ingredients look like they may scorch, add the remaining oil.
- Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring often, until the tomatoes have cooked down and smell fragrant, about 10 minutes.
- Add salt to taste.
- Add the garlic broth, bring to a simmer, cover and simmer over low heat for 30 minutes.
- While the soup is simmering, toast the tortilla strips in the microwave.
- Place as many as will fit in a single layer on a plate and microwave at full power for 1 minute.
- Turn the strips over and microwave for another minute.
- Repeat if necessary for 30 seconds, or until crisp and light brown.
- Set aside.
- Repeat with remaining tortilla strips.
- Using an immersion blender, blend the soup until smooth.
- Bring back to a simmer and stir in the cilantro.
- Simmer for 1 minute.
- Taste the broth and adjust salt.
- Add cayenne if you want more heat.
- Stir in the lime juice.
- Distribute the toasted tortilla strips among soup bowls and top with the grated or crumbled cheese.
- Ladle in the soup.
- Garnish with cilantro and serve.
extra virgin olive oil, onion, chili powder, garlic, tomatoes, salt, garlic broth, corn tortillas, cilantro, cayenne, freshly squeezed lime juice, gruyere
Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016509 (may not work)