tortilla soup

I've posted on here before about making your own corn tortillas, and it isn't hard to do, especially if you have a tortilla press.  My tortilla concoction is not traditional, as I add both canned hominy and frozen corn to boost the corn flavor in the masa flour.  But after those additions, it is as simple as adding enough masa flour to make a soft dough.

the addition of corn and hominy boost the corn flavor in the tortillas

a stack of corn tortillas cooks up in just a few minutes

However, if you don't want to make your own tortillas, just buy them.  Slice up three or four into 1/4-inch strips, toss them in a little oil and salt, and bake them for about 15 minutes at 375.  

the essential crispy garnish for tortilla soup

I wanted the flavor of fresh tomatoes in the soup, so I bought a couple of clamshells of Campari tomatoes, and tossed them in the food processor along with a couple of cloves of garlic, and two red fresno chiles, and pureed them all together.

Camparis are one of the few supermarket tomatoes that have flavor--  

the skin and seeds don't bother me in a soup, so I don't bother to peel

That puree simply goes right in a pot, along with a couple of  chicken breasts and a cup or so of chicken or vegetable broth.  The breast meat will be cooked in about 20 minutes at a low simmer.  Remove the skin first, to reduce the fat content in the soup.  

Remove the chicken and allow it to cool enough to be able to shred it.  Then in goes an assortment of veggies.  No need to be a slave to a recipe here.  Just use what you have.  I had some red and orange bell peppers, celery, and green onion.  Zucchini would work as well, as would a variety of peppers, and toss in some greens while you're at it.  I'm mad at myself for not thinking to gather a bit of those collard greens going wild in my garden.

a variety of veggies make for a nicely textured soup

The soup need only cook for 10 or 15 minutes, until the veggies are crisp/tender.  Add a little oregano, a bit of salt and pepper, and the shredded chicken.   Dish it up, and garnish with a sprinkling of cheese, if desired, a bit of cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice.  And of course, a nice handful of those crispy tortillas.

a soup so thick with veggies it makes a delicious and hardy meal-- 

more like a stew than a soup