Tortilla Soup or Aztec Soup

Tortilla Soup or Aztec Soup Recipe

Get ready to enjoy a typical Mexican dish full of flavor and tradition. Tortilla soup, also called Aztec soup, is a delicious mix of simple ingredients that together create a comforting and nutritious culinary experience. Perfect for those looking for a homemade dish, easy to make, and with an authentic touch that invites you to repeat.

Preparation time

This recipe is quick and suitable for any time, with comfortable timings for beginners.

• Preparation: 15 minutes
• Cooking: 30 minutes
• Total: 45 minutes
• Servings: 4
• Difficulty: Easy

Ingredients

For the soup and toppings

• 15 corn tortillas
• 6 tomatoes
• 1 onion
• 1 clove of garlic
• 2 cups of chicken broth
• ½ can of chipotle
• 1 pasilla chili
• 100 grams of panela cheese
• 50 grams of sour cream
• 1 avocado
• Vegetable oil
• Black pepper
• Salt

This dish uses very traditional ingredients already popular in Mexico. If you don't have panela cheese, you can substitute it with fresh cheese or Cotija. For sour cream, plain unsweetened yogurt is a good substitute.

Utensils we will use

• Pot or saucepan for cooking and heating the soup
• Frying pan for frying the tortillas and pasilla chili
• Blender or food processor to make the broth
• Sharp knife and cutting board
• Strainer for blending ingredients
• Absorbent paper towels
• Container for serving the soup (bowls or deep plates)

Preparation

1. Prepare the tortillas for the soup

1. Cut tortillas:
   • Wash the tortillas if necessary and cut into thin strips, julienne style, approximately 0.5 cm wide.
2. Wash the tortillas if necessary and cut into thin strips, julienne style, approximately 0.5 cm wide.
3. Fry the tortillas:
   • Heat enough vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
   • Fry the tortilla strips until golden and crispy, taking care not to burn them.
   • Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
4. Heat enough vegetable oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
5. Fry the tortilla strips until golden and crispy, taking care not to burn them.
6. Remove and place on paper towels to absorb excess oil.

2. Prepare the fried pasilla chili

1. Cut the chili:
   • Clean the pasilla chili by removing the seeds if you prefer a moderate spiciness. Cut into rings or small strips.
2. Clean the pasilla chili by removing the seeds if you prefer a moderate spiciness. Cut into rings or small strips.
3. Fry the chili:
   • In the same hot oil, fry the pasilla chili for less than two minutes.
   • Remove and place on absorbent paper to preserve its texture.
4. In the same hot oil, fry the pasilla chili for less than two minutes.
5. Remove and place on absorbent paper to preserve its texture.

3. Cook tomato, onion, and garlic

1. Boil water: Fill a small pot with water and bring to a boil.
2. Add vegetables: Add the whole tomatoes, peeled onion, and garlic clove, letting them cook until tender, approximately 10-12 minutes.

4. Blend the base broth

1. Prepare the mixture: Place the cooked tomatoes, onion, garlic, chicken broth, and chipotle in the blender.
2. Blend: Process until a homogeneous and smooth broth is obtained.

5. Cook the broth

1. Heat broth: Pour the blended mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium-high heat.
2. Boil and season: Allow it to boil for at least 10 minutes to intensify flavors.
3. Season: Add salt and black pepper to taste, adjusting until the broth is to your preference.

6. Assembly and presentation

1. Serve broth: In individual bowls, place the hot broth.
2. Add tortillas: Incorporate the fried tortilla strips so they soften slightly upon contact.
3. Serve with toppings: Add sour cream, avocado slices, crumbled panela cheese, and fried pasilla chili rings.

To finish and serve

Before serving, check that the seasoning is balanced. If you want an extra touch, a little more chipotle in sauce or a few drops of lemon juice enhance the flavor. Serve the soup hot to take advantage of its creamy texture and the contrast with the crispy tortillas. Accompany with a simple rice or a fresh salad for a complete and nutritious meal.

I want to share these tips with you

• Crispy without burning: Frying the tortillas over medium heat and ensuring they don't darken too much prevents bitter flavors.
• Control the spiciness: Chipotle gives it a smoky touch. If you prefer less spice, use less quantity or buy milder chipotles in adobo like Isadora to control the flavor.
• Chicken broth substitutes: You can use vegetable broth or even prepare a homemade broth with essential ingredients, like those found in recipes for beef and vegetable broth.
• Mexican cheeses: Panela cheese is fresh and soft. If you can't find it, Cotija cheese is an excellent substitute to add that authentic flavor, but with a firmer texture.
• Perfect blend: When blending, don't forget to strain the broth to avoid large pieces, obtaining a smooth soup that is enjoyed in all its texture.

Nutritional Information

• Calories: 280 kcal
• Proteins: 10 g
• Fats: 12 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 5 g

These values are estimated per serving and may vary depending on the amount of specific ingredients used.

5 keys to make it perfect

• Tortilla quality: Preferably fresh corn tortillas, neither too dry nor too new. Those with good body absorb the broth better.
• Hot oil: Make sure the oil is at medium-high temperature so that the strips brown quickly, preventing them from getting soggy and soft.
• Chipotle in adobo: Choose a good quality canned chipotle, such as those produced by La Costeña, to enhance the authentic smoky flavor.
• Cooking time: Let the broth boil enough for all the flavors to meld, but without losing moisture.
• Fresh toppings: Add toppings just before serving: the avocado should be fresh and the cheese very cold for an interesting contrast with the hot soup.

When is it ideal to enjoy it?

Tortilla soup is ideal for cool days or as an appetizer at family meals where you want to impress with a traditional Mexican dish. It's also perfect for informal gatherings or celebrations because its simple preparation and comforting flavor make it a favorite for everyone. You can accompany it with white rice or fresh salads to complete the menu.

Comparison with similar recipes

Share your experience

Cooking is for experimenting and sharing. Leave your comment and tell us how this tortilla soup turned out for you or if you tried any variant with the suggested ingredients or different brands like El Yucateco y Chata. Your opinion helps others enjoy this delicious tradition more.

Culinary glossary

• Julienne: Cut into thin and long strips, used for tortillas here to form crispy strips.
• 11. Chipotle: Dried and smoked jalapeño chili, adds flavor and spice.
• Caldillo: Broth or light soup, liquid base of the tortilla soup.
• Sour cream: Fermented cream with a slightly acidic flavor, similar to sour cream.
• Panela cheese: Fresh and soft cheese, ideal for crumbling into Mexican dishes.

Tortilla Soup or Aztec Soup

Tortilla Soup Or Aztec Soup: step-by-step recipe baked to perfection with perfect texture. Ideal for sharing. Serve immediately and adjust spiciness and salt to your taste.

Type: Recipe

Cuisine: Mexican

Keywords: soup, tortilla, aztec, mexican, desserts, recipe, easy, homemade

Recipe Yield: 4 servings

Calories: 250 kcal

Preparation Time: PT15M

Cooking Time: PT45M

Total Time: PT60M

Recipe Ingredients:

• 6 cups chicken broth
• 10 corn tortillas
• 3 ripe tomatoes
• Half a white onion
• 2 deseeded pasilla chiles
• 3 cloves of garlic
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 155 g fresh cheese or panela cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (I recommend avocado oil)
• Diced avocado
• Fresh cilantro leaves
• Limes cut into quarters
• Grated cotija cheese
• Crispy tortilla strips, homemade or store-bought
• Chipotle chiles in adobo (optional for a spicy kick)

Recipe Instructions:

Preparation: :

Preparation: 15 minutes

Cooking: :

Cooking: 45 minutes

Total: :

Total: 1 hour

Servings: :

Servings: 4-6 units

Difficulty: :

Difficulty: Easy

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. :

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté, stirring frequently, until transparent.

Add the crushed garlic cloves and deseeded pasilla chiles. :

Add the crushed garlic cloves and the deveined pasilla chilies. Sauté for one more minute to release aromas.

Stir in the chopped tomatoes and cook for about 8-10 minutes. :

Incorporate the chopped tomatoes and cook for about 8-10 minutes. Until the tomatoes are soft and juicy.

Pour in the chicken broth and add salt and pepper to taste. :

Pour in the chicken broth and add salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer, partially covered, for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, cut the tortillas into thin strips. :

Meanwhile, cut the tortillas into thin strips. For a more homemade flavor, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 200 °C for 10-12 minutes, flipping them once.

For the toppings, cut the avocado into small cubes and set aside. :

For the toppings, cut the avocado into small cubes and set aside.

Wash and chop the cilantro leaves and prepare the lemons in quarters. :

Wash and chop the cilantro leaves and prepare the lemons into quarters.

Grate the fresh cheese and set aside. :

Grate the fresh cheese and set aside.

Use homemade or high-quality chicken broth :

Using homemade or high-quality chicken broth will enhance the flavor of the dish and provide greater aromatic depth.

For a more authentic touch, bake the tortillas instead of frying them. :

For a more authentic touch, bake the tortillas instead of frying them. This reduces the fat content and maintains a more natural flavor.

Incorporate chipotle chiles in adobo :

Incorporate chipotle peppers in adobo if you desire a smoky flavor and a touch of spice balanced with the sweetness of the tomato and avocado.

Serve with different toppings :

Serving with different toppings allows customizing each dish and highlighting the variety of traditional Mexican ingredients.

Store leftovers without toppings :

Store the leftovers without toppings in an airtight container in the refrigerator, and add fresh tortillas and toppings when serving to maintain the texture.

Quality of ingredients :

Ingredient quality: Use fresh and good quality ingredients, such as products from La Costeña or Herdez, which guarantee authentic flavor.

Prepare the broth at home :

Making broth at home : A homemade broth, made with bones or fresh chicken, will enhance the flavor and texture, differentiating itself from commercial versions.

Uniform cut of the tortillas :

Uniform cutting of the tortillas : To obtain a homogeneous crispy texture, cut the tortillas into equal strips and bake or fry in hot oil.

Process with precision :

Process with precision : For a smooth purée, use an immersion blender or a food processor, making sure to adjust the consistency to your preference.

Customize with varied toppings :

Customize with varied toppings : From cotija cheese, fresh cheese, to avocado and cilantro, each element brings different properties and flavor.

Adjust to taste :

Adjust to taste : Don't hesitate to modify the amount of chilies or season carefully, so that each dish is perfectly tailored to your liking.

Attractive presentation :

Attractive Presentation : Serve on colorful plates and add the toppings in layers for an appetizing and tidy visual effect.

Choose quality tortillas :

Choose quality tortillas: Prefer brands like Doña María or Valle Verde for a more authentic flavor and perfect texture.

Do not overcook the tortillas :

Do not overcook the tortillas: To keep them crispy, bake or fry for just the necessary time and set aside to add at the end.

Control the acidity of the broth :

Control the broth's acidity : Adjust the amount of tomato and salt to balance the acidic flavor and enhance the ingredients.

Prepare toppings before serving :

Prepare toppings before serving : Keep fresh ingredients cold and prepare each one just before placing on the plates.

Store leftovers properly:

Store leftovers properly : The soup itself lasts up to 3 days in refrigeration, but the toppings should be added at the time of serving to maintain their texture.

Editor's Rating:
4.6