Sopa de Lima
By Chef John Ash
Mexican Chicken Soup with Lime Typical of flavors found in the Yucatan. The bright lime flavor goes beautifully with the crisp Les Pierres Chardonnay. And yes . . . you can have wine with soup!
Serves 8
Total Time
Prep Time
Difficulty Level Medium
Ingredients
Coconut or olive oil for frying
1 8-oz package yellow or white corn tortillas, sliced into strips 1/4 inch by 2 inches
1 whole chicken (about 3 pounds)
2 medium white onions, peeled, halved and sliced lengthwise
4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 medium fresh poblano peppers, stemmed, seeded and diced
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp oregano, preferably Mexican
1 tsp fennel seed
2 tsp pure chile powder, ie ancho
3 C quartered tomatillos
2 C cooked long-grain white rice
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
5 large limes, 4 juiced and one cut into wedges for garnish
Accompaniments Sliced jalapeños, cilantro sprigs, avocado slices, crumbled cotija cheese, reserved tortilla strips
Directions
Line a plate with a paper towels. Add an inch of oil to a deep sauce pan and over moderately high heat, fry the tortilla strips until crisp and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the tortilla strips to the towel-lined plate and let them cool.
Nestle the chicken in a large stock pot and pour enough water into the pot to cover the chicken by 2 inches. Bring the water to a gentle boil over medium-high heat and then immediately reduce the heat to medium-low, partially cover, and very gently simmer until the chicken is cooked through and the meat shreds easily with a fork, about 1-1/2 hours.
Remove the chicken from the pot and place on a plate to rest until it’s cool enough to handle. Remove and discard the skin. Pull the meat from the bone, discarding bones, shred or tear it and set aside.
Strain the cooking liquid through a fine-mesh sieve, discarding solids and set aside. Wipe out the pot, add 2 tablespoons of oil and over moderate heat, sauté the onions, garlic, poblano, cumin, oregano, fennel seed and chile until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. Add 6 cups or so of the stock, tomatillos, reserved chicken and simmer for 10 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and add salt,
Add a scoop of rice to warm bowls and ladle soup over. Pass accompaniments separately and allow each guest to add to his or her bowl as desired.
Ladle the soup into bowls, being certain to scoop some rice from the bottom of the pot, and serve with the lime, sliced jalapeño, crumbled Cotija cheese, sliced avocado, and tortilla strips on the side for each person to add bowl.
