Monthly Archives: April 2012

I have miraculously avoided my annual spring sinus infection thus far. That’s only happened once in the past 15 years! A little chicken soup at this time of year can’t hurt when my body is struggling valiantly with allergies. I haven’t made chicken tortilla soup in awhile and I don’t seem to have written down the recipe anywhere so it’s time to remedy that.

Chicken Tortilla Soup
1 large sweet onion, chopped

4 ribs celery, chopped

4 carrots, peeled and chopped

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 whole chicken

2 jalapenos, finely chopped

a few bay leaves

1 bunch cilantro, rinsed and chopped, reserve ¼ cup

2 tablespoons ground ancho chili powder

2 tablespoons ground cumin

salt and cayenne pepper, to taste

4 cups chicken broth (extra water if needed to almost cover chicken)

1 28oz can fire-roasted crushed tomatoes

6 ounces tomato paste

In a large pan, brown chicken on all side. Add onion, celery, carrots, garlic and jalapeno and cook until vegetables are softened. Add remaining ingredients, reserving ¼ cup cilantro, and bring to a simmer. Cook at a simmer, covered, for 30 minutes, turning the chicken after 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let stand 60 minutes. Remove chicken front the pot, return broth to a light simmer, and shred the meat back into the pot. Remove from heat, sprinkle over reserved cilantro. Serve with a squeeze of lime, some sliced avocado and tortilla chips.