Tortilla Soup

4 T corn oil
4 corn tortillas, torn in large pieces
2 cloves elephant garlic, minced
1 1/2 T epazote (this is a fresh herb found in Mexican markets) omit if you can't find
1 cup onion puree
2 cups tomato puree (I did 6 oz tomato paste and 8 oz tomato sauce)
1 T cumin
2 t chili powder
3 bay leaves
8 cups chicken stock
dash cayenne pepper
4 chicken breasts cooked and chopped
1 avocado, diced
1 C. cheddar cheese, shredded
1 C. Monterrey jack cheese
6 corn tortillas cut in strips and fried (I used tortilla chips)

*In a large stock pot, heat corn oil. Saute epazote, garlic, and tortillas briskly until soft. Add onion and tomato purees.
*Bring to a light boil. Add cumin, chili powder, bay leaves, and chicken stock. Simmer and add salt and cayenne. Continue to cook for 45 min
*Remove bay leaves. Puree mixture and return to heat for 20 min.
*Place chicken avocado, fried tortillas and cheese in a bowl pour soup mixture over and serve immediately.


***I added corn and black beans to the soup, good flavor but made it much thicker.

Chicken Soup

you will need about 8 oz of cooked chicken
what I did was took a whole chicken (this will give you more than 8oz so you can either make more soup or use the rest of the chicken for another meal)
I buttered the skin of the bird and then sprinkled on a spice blend that I created
3 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp dried thyme
Bake at 425* for 15 min only then turn the oven down to 350* and cook until the internal temp if the thickest part is 180* about 1.5 to 2 hours

I also cooked some carrots and potatoes in chicken stock/water mixture (diced)about a cup each

1/4 cup butter (melted)
1/4 cup flour
Slowly combine the 2 over med heat until smooth

Gradually stir in
1 can (12oz) evaporated milk

Stirring constantly bring to a boil.

Add
1 3/4 cup chicken stock (I used what I cooked my veggies in )
8 oz Chicken
Veggies

Then add more seasoning of what you like I added some onion powder, garlic salt, salt and pepper. Season to your taste.


This will serve about 2-4 people depending on portion size