Mexican Lentil Soup With Roasted Garlic And Chilies Recipes

MEXICAN LENTIL SOUP WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND CHILIES

Steps:

• To toast cumin (or coriander) seeds, place the whole seeds in a dry small skillet over low heat. Stir and shake until the seeds release their aroma and darken slightly, just a minute or two. Transfer to a bowl if you won't be grinding them right away, they will continue to cook if left in pan. Grind in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle.
• Sort and rinse the lentils and put them in a soup pot with the water, bay leaf, sage, and oregano. Bring the water to a boil, reduce the heat, and cook, uncovered, at a gentle boil for 15-20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Remove the herbs.
• While the lentils are cooking, preheat the oven to 350*F. Rub the head of garlic with a little oil, place on a baking sheet, and roast for about 30 minutes, until soft. When the garlic has cooled, slice off the top of the head and squeeze the garlic out of its skin. Puree with the tomatoes in a blender or food processor and set aside.
• Heat the remaining oil in a large saucepan. Add the onion, 1/2 teaspoons salt, cumin, and dried oregano; saute over medium heat until the onion is soft, about 7-8 minutes. Add the carrot and peppers and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the ancho chili powder and the chipotle puree, the pureed tomatoes, and 1 teaspoons salt; simmer for 10 minutes.
• Combine the lentils and their broth with the vegetables, cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes. Add salt to taste. For more spice, add more ancho chili powder or chipotle puree to taste. Sprinkle in the fresh cilantro and oregano just before serving.
• Enjoy!

MEXICAN ROASTED GARLIC SOUP

Steps:

• In a small pot, heat olive oil over medium-low and add garlic. When the oil begins lightly simmering (like champagne), lower the heat and cook for 15 minutes. Do not fry the garlic. By the end of cooking it should be soft and still white, not browned and crispy.
• Pour the oil and garlic through a mesh strainer, over a bowl. Lightly press the garlic with the back of a spoon to remove some of the excess oil.
• Transfer the garlic into a large saucepan and add the chicken broth. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes.
• Set the garlic oil aside - this is good stuff! 3 tbsp of it will be used for the croutons, the rest can be refrigerated and used for dipping french bread, salad dressings, pasta sauces, etc.
• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Cut the bread into 1/4 to 1/2 inch dices. Lay the diced bread on a baking sheet and toast in the oven for 15 minutes. Sprinkle 3 tbsp of the garlic olive oil over the croutons, toss them to spread the oil evenly, and toast for 5 minutes more, until golden brown.
• When the soup has simmered for 30 minutes, turn the heat to low, and slowly pour in the beaten eggs, while stirring the soup.
• Divide the queso fresco, avocado, and tomato between 4 bowls. Ladle the soup on top.
• Let your guests add chipotle strips and croutons to taste.

MEXICAN LENTIL STEW WITH ROASTED GARLIC AND CHILIES

Steps:

• Put the lentils, water, bay leaf, sage, and oregano or marjoram in a soup pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for about 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Remove the bay leaf.
• While the lentils are cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wrap the head of garlic in foil or place it on a baking sheet and roast for 30 minutes. After it has cooled, squeeze the garlic out of the skin and into a food processor or blender. Puree with the tomatoes and juice. Set aside.
• Put the 1/4 cup water in a skillet or large saucepan and turn the heat to medium. Add the onion, cumin, and oregano and cook until soft. Add the carrot and red pepper and cook until tender. Add the chile puree, the potatoes, and the tomato-garlic mixture and cook for 10 minutes at medium-low heat.
• Combine the lentils and liquid with the vegetables. Cook over low heat for 30 minutes, covered. Test for salt and chili flavor. If not hot enough, add some chile powder. Just before serving, sprinkle the cilantro on top, if desired.
• * To toast herbs and spices: use a small, heavy skillet. Place the herb or spice in the skillet over low heat. Shake the skillet until the aroma of the herb or spice is released. Be careful not to burn them. Then grind the spice if necessary.
• ** Look for chipotle chilies canned in adobo sauce. Puree the whole can and store in a jar in the refrigerator. They keep quite a while and are perfect for jazzing up all manner of foods. Use sparingly, though -- it's hot!