Southwest Soup A'la Heidi

It all started with tamales. A girlfriend and I like to make tamales and recently invited two more of our best gal pals to make them with us. This soups humble beginnings were drippings from our tamale pork. It was so darn wet that we decided to ladle off the juice and use it to mix our masa with (great move on our part). When we were all done and cleaning up, there were still a couple of cups of juice in the bowl. Heidi and I were eyeing it and apparently thinking the same thing, "...is meli going to throw that out?" Lucky for that pork juice, we saved it from the drain.

As luck would have it, Heidi and I were planning on doing a little bio-writing and editing that night. We decided to make something for dinner with that divine pork stock. This was lucky for us, because it was such a great dinner. Lucky for you, because we like to share.

Southwest Soup A'la Heidi

I apologize for my lack of specificity with amounts. Go for the smaller numbers if you are not making much. We went with the higher numbers of ingredients and fed 4 adults and 3 kids.

2-4 C stock (Pork was fabulous, but any that you have will do)
1-2 potatoes, diced fairly small
1/2 onion (which you won't see in these pics, because we respect Heidi)
2-3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 pablano pepper, diced (or use red or green if you don't have pablano)
1 -2 carrots, diced
1-2 celery stalks, diced
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can black beans
2-3 tsp oregano (flakes)
1-2 tsp cumin (ground)

Saute potato in a little olive oil, don't stir them too much or they will get starchy/sticky. When they start to get a little color add them to a stock pot. Add stock, tomato, and beans. Heat to a boil. While the stock and potato are heating saute garlic, onion, carrots, and celery. Add to stock pot. Add water or more broth at this point to get the consistency you want. Use less liquid if you want a "stew" more for a "soup". Add spices and salt and pepper to taste. Boil covered until potato is done.



Serve as is or dress up.

Garnish ideas include
shredded cheese
sour cream (GF)
avacado or guacamole
cilantro
tortilla chips
warm corn tortillas

As is



Dressed Up