This is my mom's specialty! Anyone who has had the pleasure of having hers will never forget it! We always make them together but sopa can be served as a side for any other protein.
Author: Cristina
Recipe type: Soups & Stews
Cuisine: Mexican
Serves: 6
Ingredients
Caldillo:
1 T vegetable or olive oil
2 lbs pork or beef, diced
4-5 medium potatoes, diced
1 onion, diced
½ C tomato sauce
1 t cumin
1 t garlic powder
5 C water
¼ C chopped cilantro
salt to taste (approx 1½ t)
½ t pepper
Sopa:
2 T vegetable oil
⅔ lb (300g) elbow macaroni or small shells
1 small 8 oz can tomato sauce
2 t garlic powder
3 C water
2 T chopped cilantro
sharp cheddar cheese, chopped into chunks or shredded
bullion or salt to taste (approx 2 t salt)
Instructions
Sauté meat, potatoes and onion in oil in a pot or deep pan until meat and onion are cooked
Add tomato sauce, cumin & garlic and sauté for another minute
Add water, cilantro & salt
Bring to boil, lower to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender
While you are making the caldillo, heat oil in medium saucepan
Add pasta and brown, stirring often, until pasta is brown but not burnt
Add tomato sauce and sauté for 1-2 minutes more on med-high heat
Add garlic powder and salt or bullion
Add water and cilantro
Bring to a boil and lower to low simmer and cover
When about half of the water is absorbed, add cheese and stir (save some for top)
Let cook until almost all the water is absorbed, then remove from heat (top with cheese and let stand covered for another few minutes)
Recipe by HeartHelpings at https://hearthelpings.com/caldillo-sopa/