Sorry this wasn't up yesterday. I had a serious bout with allergies and a sinus infection. I went from slightly uncomfortable to calling a substitute for my classes within an hour. That hour was when I was going to write this entry. I am passionate beyond belief about this little blog and I love sharing with all of you, but I just couldn't do it. Luckily, I think I'm on the mend. I have absolutely NO voice (a special challenge for a teacher) but I don't need one of those to cook, photograph, and write.
This soup was an attempt to kick the sinus infection out of me. It didn't work, but the soup was tasty. The original recipe, called "Chipotle Chicken Tortilla Soup," is quite involved. I definitely wasn't up for involved. So I took the inspiration and greatly simplified it. The soup didn't have a typical tortilla soup flavor. Rather, it was like a hearty chicken and rice soup with a southwestern flare, which is why I've changed the name. With fall and winter coming up, readers, keep this one in your back pocket. I hope you'll make it in good health.
Chipotle Chicken and Rice Soup
inspired by Gourmet, December 2008
Ingredients:
2 TBSP canola or vegetable oil
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced or pressed
1/2 tsp. allspice
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 tsp. salt, plus more to taste
1/2 tsp. black pepper, plus more to taste
2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
1/2 c. chopped cilantro, divided
4 c. low-sodium chicken broth
3 c. water
1 dried bay leaf
3/4 c. medium-grain brown rice
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 (14.5-oz.) can black beans, rinsed
3 c. shredded chicken (from about half a chicken)
1 ripe avocado, cut into 1/2-in. cubes
1/2 c. sour cream
2 limes, cut into wedges
tortilla chips
Directions:
1. Heat oil over medium heat in the bottom of a heavy soup pot. Add onion and saute until softened, about five minutes. Add garlic, allspice, cloves, cumin, salt, and pepper, and saute three minutes more, until very fragrant.
2. Place onion mixture in a food processor. Add chipotle peppers and 1/4 c. cilantro and process until fully pureed.
3. Place pot back on burner and increase heat to medium-high. Pour broth, water, pureed onion mixture, and bay leaf into the pot and bring to a boil.
4. Reduce heat to a simmer and add rice. Let simmer 20 minutes, then add sweet potato and let simmer 15 minutes more. Finally, add beans and chicken and simmer 10 minutes to heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning.
5. To serve, remove bay leaf and ladle soup into individual bowls. Garnish with avocado and sour cream. Serve with chips, remaining cilantro, and lime wedges alongside. Serves six.
one year ago: chicken and zucchini pizza
two years ago: zucchini and goat cheese frittata and simple arugula salad
three years ago: Korean barbecued beef