Snuggle up to a steaming bowl of Caldo De Queso Con Papas, an authentic Mexican soup guaranteed to warm you up on the coldest of days.
It’s not easy to find authentic Mexican food. Let’s not pretend those chain restaurants do justice to traditional Mexican cuisine. However, you can get a little taste of genuine Mexican cuisine by serving caldo de queso con papas. This is a traditional soup in the Mexican state of Sonora, where this recipe originated and remains famous.
This is the type of soup that gets passed down from one generation to another. Kids eat it while growing up in Mexico and crave it for the rest of their lives. Ultimately, they’ll learn how to prepare it themselves and pass it down to their kids. Fortunately, the recipe itself isn’t too hard to follow as long as you have the right ingredients.
Caldo de queso con papas is nothing short of comfort food. It’s a cold-weather soup that has a little bit of spice but is surprisingly hearty for a soup without any meat. One might say that cheese is the magic ingredient that takes the place of meat. It’s what helps to offset some of the spice of the peppers, creating a mild but delicious taste.
Is Caldo De Queso Con Papas Healthy?
The recipe for caldo de queso con papas calls for a pound of queso fresco cheese. This type of cheese tends to be high in saturated fats, which means this soup isn’t really one of the healthiest out there. It does, however, call for wholesome vegetables. Peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes add fiber along with vitamins and minerals. If you want to make this soup fully vegetarian, use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
The Right Stuff
With caldo de queso, there is plenty of room to improvise and create different variations by substituting ingredients. For instance, queso fresco cheese is a key part of the equation when preparing this soup. If you want to use a different type of cheese, make sure it’s not a cheese that will melt easily. Great options include Manchego, queso panela, and halloumi. Likewise, it’s best to use waxy potatoes, such as red or fingerling, which are low in starch and hold their shape well when cooked. Naturally, as the chef, you also have the freedom to add any additional peppers or spices if you think the soup could use a kick. Try a dash of cayenne or some chili flakes for heat. Alternatively, dried cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika will add subtle warmth.
How To Make Ahead And Store
With leftover soup, make sure it’s refrigerated in an airtight container, where it’ll remain good for 3 or 4 days. You can also freeze the soup for 2 or 3 months and defrost it overnight when you’re ready to eat it.
Serving Suggestions
It’s common to serve flour tortillas or bread as a side dish for caldo de queso con papas. Why not skip the store-bought stuff and try your hand at making Gluten-Free Tortillas With Sun-Dried Tomatoes? This soup can also be served as a side dish. For instance, it would be a great way to complement these Healthy Chicken Enchiladas or Shredded Chicken Tacos With Balsamic-Strawberry Salsa.
Ingredients
- 4 Anaheim or poblano peppers roasted and cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 white onion chopped
- 1 pound potatoes peeled and diced
- 6 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 pound Roma tomatoes peeled and diced
- 1/2 cup low-fat milk
- 1 pound queso fresco cheese diced
- Crushed red pepper flakes to taste (optional)
Instructions
- Roast the peppers over a gas flame or broiler until the skin has blackened. Place them in a bowl, cover to steam, then peel, seed, and cut into strips.
- In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat and sauté the onions until translucent. Add the diced potatoes and chicken broth, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook the potatoes in the simmering broth until tender, about 20 minutes.
- Add the peeled and diced Roma tomatoes, roasted pepper strips, and milk to the pot. Let it simmer for a few more minutes.
- Place the diced queso fresco in serving bowls. Ladle the hot soup over the cheese, allowing it to melt slightly. If desired, top with crushed red pepper flakes. Serve with warm tortillas or crusty bread.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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