Recipe: Texas-Style Tortilla Soup

Texas-Style Tortilla Soup
Source: Gwen Walters, from Par Fork! The Golf Resort Cookbook (Pen and Fork, 2002)
Serves 6

Ancho chile paste
1 ancho chile
1/2 cup boiling water
1/4 teaspoon cider vinegar

1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups chopped onions
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 cups corn kernels (fresh or frozen)
1 cup seeded and chopped tomato
1 jalape o, seeded and minced
2 (4-ounce) cans chopped mild green chiles
1 tablespoon cumin
1 tablespoon ancho chile paste (Above)
2 teaspoons Mexican oregano**
2 teaspoons chile powder
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
6 cups chicken stock
3 cups (about 3/4 pound) chopped cooked chicken breast
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons cold water

Garnish
2 cups fried thin tortilla strips
3 large avocados, peeled and chopped
6 tablespoons sour cream

Make the chile paste:
Remove the stem and seeds from ancho chile. Toast chile in a dry skillet over medium heat until fragrant, about a minute or so. Place the chile in a bowl and cover with boiling water mixed with the vinegar. Rehydrate for 20 to 30 minutes. Pur e the chile in a blender with just enough of the soaking liquid to make a thick paste (think tomato paste consistency). Makes about 1/4 cup of chile paste. Set aside.

MAKE THE SOUP:
Melt the butter in a stockpot over medium heat. Stir in the onions and cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onions are soft, about 2 to 3 more minutes.

Stir in the corn, tomatoes, jalape o, green chiles, chile paste, and spices, cooking another minute or so.

Stir in the chicken stock. Increase the heat to medium-high and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the chicken and cilantro. Bring to a boil. Whisk the cornstarch and water together. Whisk into the boiling soup. Reduce the heat and simmer for a few minutes. Taste and season with salt if needed.

Ladle the soup into warm soup bowls. Garnish with fried tortilla strips, avocado chunks, and a tablespoon of sour cream.