Description
Comforting Mexican tamale soup elevates classic flavors with delightful tamale dumplings swirling in rich, spicy broth. Hearty ingredients and authentic techniques promise a soul-warming meal that connects you to traditional culinary warmth.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein and Meat:
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
Vegetables and Produce:
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup frozen corn
- Optional: fresh cilantro
- Optional: diced avocado
Pantry and Canned Goods:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes, with juices
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Tamale Dumpling Ingredients:
- 1 cup masa harina
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 2 tablespoons melted butter or oil
- Optional: 1/4 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or monterey jack)
Garnish:
- Optional: crumbled queso fresco
- Optional: lime wedges
Instructions
- Transform a heavy-bottomed pot into a flavor stage by heating olive oil over medium heat. Introduce diced onion, minced garlic, and colorful bell peppers, allowing them to dance and soften for 4-5 minutes, releasing their aromatic essence.
- Craft the soup’s foundation by cascading diced tomatoes, black beans, and golden corn into the vegetable-laden pot. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir the ingredients into a harmonious blend and let the mixture gently simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to intertwine.
- While the soup gently bubbles, create the tamale dumpling mixture. In a mixing bowl, combine masa harina, baking powder, and salt. Stream in broth and melted butter, whisking until a cohesive, soft dough emerges. Optional: fold shredded cheese into the dough for an extra flavor dimension.
- Sculpt the dumplings by rolling the dough into small, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter. Arrange the delicate dumplings on a clean plate, ready for their culinary journey.
- Gently nestle the dumplings into the simmering soup, allowing them to cook for 10-12 minutes. The dumplings will expand and absorb the soup’s rich flavors while maintaining a tender texture.
- Once dumplings are fully cooked and soup has thickened slightly, remove from heat. Let the soup rest for 2-3 minutes to settle and concentrate its flavors before serving.
Notes
- Adjust the chili powder and spices to control the soup’s spiciness, catering to different heat preferences and taste buds.
- Swap chicken broth for vegetable broth and add shredded rotisserie chicken, tofu, or plant-based protein to make the soup more substantial and adaptable to various dietary needs.
- Ensure dumplings are bite-sized and uniform to guarantee even cooking and a consistent texture throughout the soup.
- Experiment with different cheese varieties like pepper jack, cheddar, or queso fresco to add unique flavor profiles and regional twists to the dumpling mixture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 198 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 370 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 12 mg