Tortilla soup recipe
 This Mexican tortilla soup is often made with pasilla chillies, but I like it with chipotles. I’ve also had this soup with cooked shredded chicken and even crisp pieces of pork skin. 8 large ripe tomatoes2 garlic cloves2–3 tbsp lard2 onions, sliced2 chipotles en adobo (available from specialist stores, some supermarkets and online)1 tsp dried oregano1 litre/1¾ pints homemade chicken stock1½ tsp salt8 turns black peppermill220g/8oz cooked chicken, shredded (optional)500ml/1lb 2oz corn oil or vegetable oil, for deep frying4 corn tortillas cut into 1cm/½in strips 8 large ripe tomatoes 2 garlic cloves 2–3 tbsp lard 2 onions, sliced 2 chipotles en adobo (available from specialist stores, some supermarkets and online) 1 tsp dried oregano 1 litre/1¾ pints homemade chicken stock homemade chicken stock 1½ tsp salt 8 turns black peppermill 220g/8oz cooked chicken, shredded (optional) 500ml/1lb 2oz corn oil or vegetable oil, for deep frying 4 corn tortillas cut into 1cm/½in strips 1 avocado, stone and skin removed, diced into 1cm/½in cubes1 lime, juice only1½ tsp dried chipotle flakes75g/2¾oz Lancashire cheese or feta cheese, crumbled100g/3½oz soured creamsmall handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped 1 avocado, stone and skin removed, diced into 1cm/½in cubes 1 lime, juice only 1½ tsp dried chipotle flakes 75g/2¾oz Lancashire cheese or feta cheese, crumbled 100g/3½oz soured cream small handful fresh coriander, roughly chopped Method Heat a dry, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat and char the tomatoes and garlic. Remove from the heat and peel when cool enough to handle. Place the lard in a saucepan over a medium-low heat and gently fry the onions until softened but not coloured. Add the garlic and cook for a further 4–5 minutes. Add the chipotles, tomatoes, oregano and stock. Cook for 10–15 minutes, until everything is soft and pulpy. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, add the shredded chicken, if using, cover and keep warm over a low heat. Pour the oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 2.5cm/1in. Heat the oil until a small cube of bread sizzles and turns golden-brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.). Fry the tortilla strips in batches until golden and crisp. Remove the strips with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper.Toss the avocado cubes with the lime juice and set aside.Divide the soup between four bowls and top with strips of tortilla, a sprinkling of chipotle flakes, diced avocado, cheese, soured cream and coriander. Heat a dry, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat and char the tomatoes and garlic. Remove from the heat and peel when cool enough to handle. Heat a dry, heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat and char the tomatoes and garlic. Remove from the heat and peel when cool enough to handle. Place the lard in a saucepan over a medium-low heat and gently fry the onions until softened but not coloured. Add the garlic and cook for a further 4–5 minutes. Add the chipotles, tomatoes, oregano and stock. Cook for 10–15 minutes, until everything is soft and pulpy. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, add the shredded chicken, if using, cover and keep warm over a low heat. Place the lard in a saucepan over a medium-low heat and gently fry the onions until softened but not coloured. Add the garlic and cook for a further 4–5 minutes. Add the chipotles, tomatoes, oregano and stock. Cook for 10–15 minutes, until everything is soft and pulpy. Blend until smooth. Season with salt and pepper, add the shredded chicken, if using, cover and keep warm over a low heat. Pour the oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 2.5cm/1in. Heat the oil until a small cube of bread sizzles and turns golden-brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.). Fry the tortilla strips in batches until golden and crisp. Remove the strips with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Pour the oil into a frying pan to a depth of about 2.5cm/1in. Heat the oil until a small cube of bread sizzles and turns golden-brown when dropped into it. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.). Fry the tortilla strips in batches until golden and crisp. Remove the strips with a slotted spoon and drain on kitchen paper. Toss the avocado cubes with the lime juice and set aside. Toss the avocado cubes with the lime juice and set aside. Divide the soup between four bowls and top with strips of tortilla, a sprinkling of chipotle flakes, diced avocado, cheese, soured cream and coriander. Divide the soup between four bowls and top with strips of tortilla, a sprinkling of chipotle flakes, diced avocado, cheese, soured cream and coriander.