Best Sopa Seca With Beans Recipes

MEXICAN-STYLE RICE (SOPA SECA)

Steps:

• In a large heatproof bowl, pour boiling water over the rice enough to cover. Stir only once, and let stand 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a colander over the sink and rinse rice under cold water. Drain again. Set rice aside, spread out on a cookie sheet to dry slightly. (I usually do this first thing in the morning.).
• In the meantime, put the tomatoes, onion, garlic and half of chili pepper into a food processor or blender. Process until smooth like salsa. Set tomato mixture aside.
• Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy saute pan and cook rice until a light golden brown color. Stir constantly so that rice does not burn, scraping bottom of pan with spatula because the rice grains will stick.
• Next add the pureed tomato mixture and keep stirring over medium heat until all the liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. If mixture starts to boil, reduce heat. *Stir in the stock, salt, and green peas. Continue to cook the mixture on low-medium heat stirring occasionally until all liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, another 10-15 minutes. Be careful not to burn.
• *NOTE: DO NOT stir rice too often after adding the stock or the grains will become too starchy.
• The original directions say to remove pan from heat, cover with tight-fitting lid; letting stand in a warm place 10 minutes or so. I remove pan from heat, cover and place pan in low oven, at approximately 150-200 degrees. Sometimes I'll let the rice set in the oven for a good hour or longer, as long as the rice grains are tender and rice doesn't dry out too much.
• Transfer the cooked rice to a serving platter, fluff with fork and serve sprinkled with freshly ground black pepper. Garnish with thinly sliced chilis or serve on side.

SOPA SECA

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or medium pot over medium-high heat until it ripples. Add the pasta and cook, stirring constantly, until the pasta is golden, about 3 minutes.
• Scoop out and discard 2 tablespoons of the oil. Add the Roasted Tomato-Chile Arbol Salsa and cook for 2 minutes, stirring the whole time. Pour in the chicken stock and let the liquid come to a simmer. Cover the pot and cook, stirring once in a while, until the liquid is absorbed and the pasta is tender, about 20 minutes.
• Divide the pasta between two bowls and garnish with the cilantro and cheese.

SHRIMP SOPA SECA

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler. Toss the tomatoes, white onion, garlic and 1 tablespoon olive oil on a baking sheet; spread out evenly. Broil until the onion and garlic are slightly charred and softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the onion and garlic to a blender and flip over the tomatoes on the baking sheet. Continue broiling the tomatoes until the skins shrink and char, 5 to 7 more minutes.
• Add the tomatoes to the blender, along with any juices left on the baking sheet; process until chunky but well combined. Add the cilantro and puree. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil, then add the fideos. Cook, stirring, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes; remove to a plate. Reserve the pot.
• Pour the blended tomato sauce into the pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer over medium-low heat until slightly reduced, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in the ancho chile powder, coriander, chili powder and 2 1/2 cups water. Bring to a boil.
• Return the fideos to the pot. Adjust the heat so the liquid simmers; cook, stirring, until the fideos are almost al dente, 13 to 15 minutes. Add the shrimp, cover and cook until the fideos and shrimp are cooked through, 5 to 7 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among bowls. Top with crema and cilantro.