Mexican Wedding Soup

[luckytrim]

MEXICAN WEDDING SOUP

3 lb. Chorizo sausage (BULK, or removed from casings)
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
1 1/2 c. chopped green pepper

4 ancho chiles, chopped fine
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1/2 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon powdered cloves
1/2 teaspoon powdered cinnamon
9 c. water (i use half beef broth)
2 lbs combination of Anasazi or pinto beans, Garbanzo Beans, Black Beans and kidney beans soaked and cooked (if you use canned, drain and rinse them)

3 qt. tender cactus, WELL drained, in bite-size pieces
2 c. whole kernel corn
2 tsp. salt
1 TBL black pepperpepper
1/4 cup chili sauce (optional)
2 oz.. bittersweet chocolate, cut into small pieces


Whole Jalapeno's for garnish


brown sausage lightly in large saucepan. Spoon off all but about 2 tablespoons of fat. Add onion, green peppers, and garlic; cook until vegetables are tender but not brown. Add water / broth, beans, corn, spices, and chili sauce
Simmer covered 25 to 30 minutes or until rice is tender, stirring occasionally. Add chocolate and stir in until melted and well blended.
add cactus and cook 15 minutes longer.
makes a bunch


Offer Hot Sauce,Tortilla Chips and Tequila at table

[Hoot]

That looks absolutely great!!
Thanks, I am gonna make this one day soon before the weather turns too hot to be eatin' a lot of soup.

[luckytrim]

THX !

This was the last soup of the year for me , as well !

[Kayelle]

Thanks for the pictures and instructions LT! This looks just beautiful. I've never used cactus before but I've wanted to..can't wait to make it. I love your soup mugs, are they for canning or freezing? How convenient to just pop them in the microwave for heating.

[luckytrim]

The Red-lidded ones are for freezing; the "Mason Jar" containers are for transportation........... I make a lot of soup, when I make soup, and it goes out and about on Monday, to my Souper friends !

[taxlady]

Looks yummy. How much rice?

[luckytrim]

no rice .........

I originally had rice in there, 2 cups long grain, but I adjusted later, omitting the rice.
Didn't notice it was still in the instructions.

[letscook]

look yummy but ive never seen catus in here central NY - if I can't find it what would be a good subtitue for it?

[CraigC]

That looks great! I've always thought that the groom had a different soup before the wedding? There are only two ingredients for it, tequila and lime. Maybe a little salt. I understand it is consumed in massive quantities.

Craig

[LindaLou]

Wow! Thanks for sharing it looks great! I am going to try it when the weather gets cool again -- already pushing 90 degrees here.

I think you are right about the grooms soup!

[PrincessFiona60]

Originally Posted by letscook

look yummy but ive never seen catus in here central NY - if I can't find it what would be a good subtitue for it?

I'm not sure what would sub, roasted and peeled green peppers, maybe. I bet they could be found in any Mexican market around, just ask for Nopalitos. The cactus has a bit of a citrus taste to it.

Maybe seeded and roasted tomatillos. Kind of a waste of tomatillos, though.

[luckytrim]

Any of the big chains will have it, either in the international foods aisle, or where "Ortega" foods are staged................ amazingly, I found mine in the aisle with the dry beans !

[Bolas De Fraile]

Trim mate that looks good, my problem is finding cactus here, any substitute?

[luckytrim]

The young cactus adds a subtle but definitive flavor to the soup;
I'm afraid it wouldn't be the same soup without them.........

That being said, give it a shot with anything green you like ; Green Beans....
maybe even young spinach leaves........... let us know...........

[Dawgluver]

Originally Posted by letscook

look yummy but ive never seen catus in here central NY - if I can't find it what would be a good subtitue for it?

Maybe some mild canned green chiles? I found a huge jar of nopales at Walmart. They are really slimy and needed to be rinsed but impart a good flavor.