Posted by Gayle 7/25/2001 9:32 pm

Source: The Birmingham News - May 9, 2001

2 white onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 jalape?, seeded and chopped
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
2 ripe red tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 green tomatoes, seeded and chopped
4 tomatillos, chopped
2/3 cup cilantro, chopped
2 bay leaves
Juice of 3 limes
8 cups rich chicken stock
8 corn tortillas, cut into 1/2-inch wide strips
Vegetable oil for frying
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 large avocado, diced (optional)

Fry tortillas in 1/2 inch of oil in deep skillet until golden brown. Remove from oil and season with salt.

In a large pot over medium heat, heat 4 tablespoons of oil. When oil is hot, saut?onions, garlic, jalape? and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and pepper. Saut?until soft, about 2 to 3 minutes.

Add tomatoes and tomatillos and cook about 2 minutes.

Add chicken stock, cilantro, bay leaves and lime juice.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer about 30 minutes.

Using a hand-held blender, puree soup until smooth. Re-season soup to taste. Simmer 2 more minutes.

To serve. Place several tortilla strips in bottom of bowl and ladle soup over strips. Garnish with diced avocados.

Servings: 6