SOPA SECA: MEXICAN NOODLE CASSEROLE

Sopa Seca: Mexican Noodle Casserole image

Provided by BNLNikki

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus extra
extra virgin olive oil, for pan
12 ounces fideos (bundled vermicelli)
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon dried oregano, preferably Mexican
1 teaspoon new mexico chile powder
1 bay leaf
2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
1 -2 chipotle chile in adobo, minced
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon kosher salt
fresh ground black pepper
2 cups shredded cooked chicken
1 cup coarsely grated cheddar cheese (4 ounces)
Mexican crema (optional, or sour cream thinned with a bit milk)

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Brush a 9-inch square baking dish with oil.
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add the fideos and cook, turning them with tongs, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes.
Transfer the bundles and any broken pieces to a plate.
Add the onion to the skillet and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 8 minutes.
Stir in the garlic, coriander, oregano, chili powder, and bay leaf, and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add the diced tomatoes with their juices.
Add the chipotles, increase the heat to high, and cook until thickened, about 2 minutes.
Stir in the broth, the toasted fideos, salt, and pepper, to taste.
Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently, uncovered, breaking up the fideos with a spoon, for about 5 minutes.
Stir in the chicken.
Remove the bay leaf.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, sprinkle the grated cheese over the top, and cover loosely with foil.
Bake until the cheese melts and the casserole is hot through and through, about 20 minutes.
If desired, serve with some crema drizzled over the top.