Oaxaca Soup

Source: The Junior League of Mexico City, Mexico

10 chile poblanos*, fresh or canned
6 medium potatoes
6 medium tomatoes, peeled
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon cooking oil
4 to 6 cups water, as necessary
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons granulated chicken broth
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups milk
1 pound Oaxaca or mozzarella cheese, diced

If chiles are fresh, first roast them on a hot griddle until the skin blisters and turns brown. Put them into a plastic bag to "sweat" for about 10 minutes, then peel, devein and remove the seeds. If canned chiles are used, slit them and remove seeds. Rinse chiles in water and cut into long strips.

Peel and cube the potatoes. Puree tomatoes in the blender and pour through a sieve to remove seeds.

In a 6-8-quart pan, fry the onion and garlic, potatoes and chile strips in the oil until the onion is soft. Add the pureed tomatoes and cook for 3 to 5 minutes. Add the water, salt, broth granules, parsley and baking soda.

In a separate pan, bring the milk to a boil, remove any "skin," and add to the other mixture. Add about one-third of the diced cheese and let it melt.

In each individual soup bowl, put about 3 tablespoons diced cheese and pour the piping-hot soup over it.

* A dark green pepper, usually mild in flavor. Bell peppers may be substituted, but they are not as good. If used, add 1 tablespoon Tabasco to the soup.

This recipe is a little bit of trouble to make, but the results are well worth it.

Yield: 6 servings

Que Sabroso!