the aztec five-step

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 onions, chopped
• 10 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 (28 ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
• 4 quarts water
• 2 (2 to 3 pound) whole chickens, cut into pieces
• 5 bay leaves
• 2 sprigs epazote
• 16 ounces tomato paste
• 1 red bell peppers, julienned
• 1 cup green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces
• 2 carrots, sliced thin
• 2 cups thinly sliced celery
• 3 cups zucchini, diced
• 3 potatoes
• 1 pound spinach, rinsed and chopped
• 2 avocados - peeled, pitted and diced
• 1 1/2 pounds shredded monterey jack cheese
• 3 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into 1/2 inch strips
• salt to taste

Recipe

Cook Time: 1 hr 10 mins

Ready Time: 2 hrs 10 mins


• heat olive oil in large skillet and saute onions and garlic over low heat until they are translucent and soft, about 8-10 minutes. add tomatoes, basil, oregano, cumin, and black pepper, and cook over low heat, partially covered, another 10-12 minutes. let cool, then blend in a processor until smooth. set aside.
• bring water to a boil in a large pot. add chicken, bay leaves, and epazote. water should cover chicken by an inch or so. skim off foam and fat that surface in first 5 minutes. add reserved puree and tomato paste and cook; partially covered, with liquid at rolling simmer, for another 20 minutes. transfer chicken to a platter. when cool enough to handle, remove skin and bones, then shred.
• add peppers, carrots, and celery to broth and cook over low heat for 5 minutes. add zucchini and cook an additional 5 minutes. remove vegetables from broth with slotted spoon. salt broth to taste.
• peel and parboil potatoes. then dice and saute in a little olive oil until brown.
• place a scoop of vegetables and a heaping tablespoon of potatoes in a large soup bowl. next, add tortilla strips, spinach, shredded chicken, avocado, and cheese. pour piping-hot broth over everything and serve immediately.