MUSHROOM SOUP WITH ROASTED TOMATILLOS AND CACTUS(SOPA DE NOPALITOS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• If nopales have thorns, carefully trim them from cactus paddles with scissors, then rub paddles with clean plastic scouring pad to get rid of the very small ones.
• Rinse with water and brush each side with a little olive oil.
• Set on a cookie sheet and broil, turning occasionally, until limp, (10 to 15 minutes).
• Set the cooked cactus paddles aside to cool.
• When cool, cut in half lengthwise, then cut each half into 1/4-inch-wide slices.
• Place the tomatillos and tomatoes whole on baking sheet and broil until soft and blackened in spots, about 4 minutes.
• Turn and broil on other side.
• Set aside to cool; peel tomatoes when cool.
• While the cactus is being cooked, combine the garlic, jalapenos, onion, anise seed and olive oil in large stockpot.
• Saute until onions are tender (not browned) and garlic is fragrant, about 6 minutes.
• Combine roasted vegetables in food processor with 2 cups of the vegetable stock and the cilantro.
• Puree until chunky smooth.
• Add the puree to the garlic and onion mixture with remaining stock and simmer over medium flame.
• Add mushrooms, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer approximately 20 minutes.
• Add cactus pieces to soup and simmer 5 more minutes.
• Serve hot.