The mansion's tortilla soup

8 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
3tablespoonsCorn oil
4Corn tortillas -- coarsely
Chopped
6Cloves garlic -- finely
Chopped
1tablespoonFresh epazote -- chopped
(or 1 tablespoon chopped
Fresh cilantro)
1cupFresh onion puree
2cupsFresh tomato puree
1tablespoonCumin powder
2teaspoonsChili powder
2Whole bay leaves
4tablespoonsCanned tomato puree
2quartsChicken stock
Salt -- to taste
Cayenne pepper -- to taste
1Cooked chicken breast -- cut
In strips
1Avocado -- peel, seed &
Cube
1cupCheddar cheese -- shredded
3Corn tortillas, cut in
Strips -- fried crisp

Directions

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.

Saute tortillas with garlic and epazote over medium heat until tortillas are soft. Add onion and fresh tomato puree and bring to a boil. Add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, canned tomato puree, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil again, then reduce heat to simmer. Add salt and cayenne pepper to taste and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes. Skim fat from surface, if necessary.

Strain and pour into warm soup bowls. Garnish each bowl with an equal portion of chicken breast, avocado, shredded cheese, and crisp tortilla strips. Serve immediately.

Soup may be made one day ahead and gently reheated before serving with garnishes.

Chef's Note: This soup has been on the menu at the restaurant at The Mansion on Turtle Creek since it opened in 1985. According to executive chef Dean Fearing, "When Tortilla Soup is ordered, it is brought to the table in a tureen for individual service by the waiter, who garnishes each bowl according to the customer's desire." Recipe By : Dean Fearing of The Mansion on Turtle Creek From: Caitlin Davis Carlson, Seaview,wa