Authentic Mexican Tortilla Soup is all about the broth. You cannot create these flavors unless you start with dried chile that you soak in hot water and puree with tomatoes, garlic and onions. Creating authentic dishes from Mexico are so simple and easy after you learn about the dried chile. This soup has ancho and pasilla chile. This is a pasilla chile:
and, this is the Ancho Chile:
I can find them in my local grocery stores, but if you can’t you can order them online. https://amzn.to/3bvSPdc
and the Pasilla chile https://amzn.to/3lSM7mq
These chiles are part of the “Holy Trinity” for making authentic Mexican food. Here’s an article you may find interesting: http://benitosmexican.com/news/mexican-chili-peppers-holy-trinity/
this. authentic mexican tortilla soup.
I start this wonderful broth by seeding and removing the stems form the chile. Then I place them in hot water to soften for about 20 minutes. While they are soaking I fry a bunch of tortilla strips that I’ll use to garnish the soup, but I’ll add a handful to the puree . After the chiles have softened I add them to my Nutribullet along with onions, tomato, garlic, some tortilla chips along with some of the water I soaked the chile in and blend to a smooth puree.
If you don’t have a Nutribullet, use your food processor, and process until smooth. The Nutribullet is great though because the puree is so smooth you really don’t have to strain the broth to eliminate any left behind skins from the chile. https://amzn.to/32WK340
Please don’t be reluctant to try using these dried chile recipes. Another recipe I think you will love is this Birria, a Mexican stew using chuck roast and all of these delicious chiles. Here’s the link: https://the2spoons.com/amazing-birria-a-mexican-stew/.
this. authentic mexican tortilla soup.
I hope you make this recipe and all of my other recipes. This really is so delicious. I love authentic recipes. Maybe it’s my age. I don’t know. But I really love the flavors created by different cultures.
Just a couple of tips before you start, slice your tortillas the day before and leave on your counter to dry out so they don’t absorb so much oil and have an extra pasilla chile to fry after you fry your tortilla strips to garnish your soup with. Enjoy! This really is delicious.
authentic mexican tortilla soup.
Ingredients
- 10 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
- 1/2 cup oil for frying the tortillas
- 2 pasilla chiles, one thinly sliced for frying for a garnish
- 1 ancho chile
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1/2 onion
- 1 lb tomatoes
- 3 Epazote sprigs (substitute Cilantro if not available)
- 7 cups chicken stock
- 3/4 tsp plus more if needed chicken bullion
- salt to taste
Garnishes
- 1 avocado, sliced
- queso fresco, crumbled
- mexican crema or sour cream
- 2 chicken breast, shredded or torn in pieces (optional)
Instructions
- Thinly slice your tortilla strips the day before and allow to sit at room temperature to dry out a little.
- Remove the seeds and stems from the chiles. Bring a small saucepan of water to a boil and remove from the heat. Add the chiles, reserving one to cut into pieces to fry, and allow to soften about 20 minutes.
- While the chile is softening, add about 1/2 inch of oil to a pan or skillet and in batches quickly fry your tortilla strips until they have browned being careful not to burn. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels. Add the chile that you sliced into small pieces and quickly fry and remove to prevent overcooking, as it will burn fast. Drain and set aside.
- Add the tomato, onion, garlic, the chiles, a handful of the fried tortilla strips and some of the water that you soaked the chile in to a blender or to a Nutribullet if using. If you use a blender you will need to strain the sauce. Add the sauce to the oil you fried the tortilla strips and add 3/4 teaspoon chicken bullion. Simmer in the oil for about 20 minutes. Add the chicken stock and the epazote and simmer an additional 20 minutes. Check for seasoning and add more chicken bullion if needed. Cook an additional 10 minutes.
- To serve: If using chicken breast add a little to the bottom of each bowl, then top with a handful of the tortilla strips. Ladle the broth over the chicken and tortilla strips. Garnish with Queso Fresco, the fried chile, avocado slices or chunks, Mexican Crema or Crème Fraiche and a little cilantro if you like. Enjoy!