Mexican Bean and Tortilla Soup (Sopa Tarasca)

It's not possible to get tired of this traditional recipe for Mexican bean and tortilla soup, or sopa tarasca, from the state of Michoacan. Besides delicious, it is easy, fast, and economical.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 35 mins
• Total Time: 45 mins
• Calories: 425 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• salt to taste
• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
• ½ small onion, sliced
• 2 pasilla chile peppers - stems, seeds, and veins removed
• 4 (6 inch) corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
• 1 Roma tomato
• 2 serrano peppers, or to taste
• 4 cups black beans, with liquid
• 1 pinch ground dried oregano
• 3 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese, or to taste

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a skillet over medium-low heat. Cook pasilla chiles until light brown, being careful not to burn them, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer chiles to a plate. Increase skillet heat to medium-high; cook tortillas in the same oil until crisp and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from skillet.

Step 2

Wipe out skillet and place back over medium-high heat. Add tomato and serrano peppers. Roast in the dry skillet, turning occasionally, until skin is charred and flesh is soft, 8 to 12 minutes. Let cool briefly. Peel tomatoes and place in a blender along with serrano peppers. Add water and blend until smooth.

Step 3

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir until translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in the tomato mixture; cook until thickened, about 5 minutes.

Step 4

Pour beans into the blender; process until smooth. Add to the saucepan with the tomato mixture. Add oregano and season with salt. Bring soup to a simmer until beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Garnish soup with the toasted pasilla chile, tortilla strips, and Cotija cheese.