Ingredients

  • 1 Spanish onion, cut into 1-inch wedges
  • 7 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1/2 canned chipotle chile in adobo, seeded and coarsely chopped
  • One 28-ounce can whole, peeled tomatoes (with puree), roughly chopped
  • 5 cups chicken broth, homemade or low-sodium canned
  • Vegetable oil for frying
  • 6 white corn tortillas, halved and cut into thin strips
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling tortillas
  • 2 dried pasilla chile, seeded, and cut into thin 3-inch long strips
  • 6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 -1/2 cup grated Monterey jack cheese (about 4 1/2 ounces)
  • 1 scallion (white and green), thinly sliced on the diagonal
  • 30 fresh coriander leaves (cilantro), for garnish
  • Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved

Method

  • Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until hot.
  • Arrange the onion and garlic in the skillet in a single layer and cook, turning once, until charred, about 7 minutes.
  • Working in batches, if necessary, combine the chipotle, tomatoes, charred onion, and garlic in a blender and puree until smooth.
  • Transfer the tomato mixture to a large pot.
  • Bring to a boil and cook, stirring, until the mixture has thickened, about 4 minutes.
  • Pour in the broth, return to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, pour the oil for frying into a large heavy-bottomed pot to a depth of 2 inches.
  • Place over medium heat and heat to 365 degrees F. Add the tortilla strips and fry until golden brown, about 1 minute.
  • Using a slotted spoon, transfer the strips to a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
  • Repeat with the pasilla strips, frying them for 10 seconds, and transfer to the plate.
  • When ready to serve the soup, stir in the 2 teaspoons salt and the lime juice.
  • Divide the tortilla strips and cheese among soup bowls and ladle the tomato broth over them.
  • Garnish with the pasilla strips, scallion, and cilantro.
  • Serve immediately.