MEXICAN TOMATO SOUP WITH TOASTED PASTA

Steps:

• In a 2 quart, or larger, sauce pan, heat the 2 tbsp of vegetable oil over medium high heat. Once oil is hot, stir in the dried pasta (small elbows or alphabet letters work nicely, but any smaller shape works). Stir frequently so that the pasta toasts evenly. It will become brown and very fragrant in about 5-8 minutes. Remember to check often so that pasta doesn't become too dark or burned.
• In the meantime, in your blender (or with a stick blender in a large measuring cup) add the chopped tomatoes, garlic, and diced onions and puree until completely smooth.
• When pasta is evenly toasted, add the tomato puree to the pan. Be careful, the puree will sizzle possibly splatter once it hits the pan. Stir gently until the pasta is coated in the puree. Add salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta soaks up the liquid and the mixture has reduced, leaving the pasta coated in a thick tomato paste-like sauce. Approximately 7-10 minutes.
• Carefully add the chicken broth, or any kind of broth or stock you wish, and let the soup come to a simmer to finish cooking the pasta. Stir occasionally for about 15 minutes. Add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce and remove from heat. Serve as is or with some chopped fresh cilantro or thin sliced green onions.
• -OPTIONAL- Add 1 cup of frozen sweet corn, thawed, 1/2 cup shredded carrots, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, or thinly sliced cabbage, fresh lime juice, shredded, cooked chicken or pork. Add when adding stock, for a more substantial meal.
• We used a vinegary Jalapeno hot sauce and really liked it. This soup tastes best when made with ripe tomatoes, especially heirloom tomatoes. I used black/brown heirlooms and it was deeply flavored and complex.