As the frozen corndog days of January wane away, and as we face the pending darkness of February, it is becoming evident Biden and Trump will be our presidential candidates; that’s a depressing scenario. Both are too old and showing mental decline. One belongs in prison, while the President should have recognized it was time to release the reins of power.
However, having trepidation regarding America’s politics won’t solve anything. A good way to combat winter’s darkness and preoccupation with things not in your control is to make a great soup. Another option is to cast a futile vote for a third-party candidate, but that’s akin to making ramen soup from a package. You will have something warm to eat, but will it provide the sustenance needed to power through to spring, and will it bring better political days? A hearty, homemade soup is the answer to that slurpy compound question.
Why soup? — because a savory broth nourishes the soul. Soups are typically loaded with delicious nutrients that boost your immune system. They hydrate us in the winter when we are less likely to drink sufficient liquids. Making good soup isn’t inexpensive, and it’s a great way to utilize a leftover carcass (I’m not talking about the neighbor’s cat).
The flavor of soups often improves on the second day, and bone broths are particularly tasty. If you are a creative soul, making an “everything but the kitchen sink” soup is a fun way to concoct a tantalizing stew that provides delicious meals.
I forgot to mention that I am in Mexico avoiding winter, so why make soup for anything beyond political nurturance? It’s because I’m living at an altitude of 7,300 feet which brings chilly nights. Soups provide warmth in the high mountains of Chiapas, and a restaurant here called El Caldero offers a dozen hearty choices; more exotic fare like rabbit stew and three types of pozole (red, green, and white) entice the menu.
The urge to make a hearty soup struck when I learned that Trump is down to one primary competitor, albeit a feisty one, and that Biden is powering on while sending Israel all the bombs it needs to annihilate the Palestinians. It’s pathetic watching Trump’s sycophants lining up — the never-ending opportunistic minions.
Excuse me for digressing. Having had a gaggle of visitors, my fridge was well-stocked with leftovers, but no carcass. There were four dried-out corn tortilla tacos containing spicy Barbacoa beef, and a flour tortilla quesadilla filled with orange cheese loitering in my fridge. The leathery tacos reminded me of Biden, while the greasy quesadilla mirrored the Don. Could one actually make a soup starting with four tacos and a quesadilla?
I decided to give it a shot. It was possible that I would be creating fertilizer for the garden (I’ve done that before with overzealous cooking), but I took those smoke and chili-flavored Biden tacos, and that cheesy Trump quesadilla and fine-chopped them into a conjoined pile of mana or possibly caca for my soup starter. From there water and a squeeze of lime juice were added, plus bullion, a diced jalapeño (without the seeds!!!), an orange pepper, chopped tomatoes, minced garlic and onion, a grated carrot, a splash of soy sauce, some finely chopped mushrooms, sliced green beans, tarragon and oregano, nutritional yeast, salt and pepper.
This soup had the potential to be delicious or…at least I tried. I was pleasantly surprised when the leathery tacos and gooey flour tortillas melded into a savory broth with the fresh ingredients. The smoky flavor in the Barbacoa meat was reduced but lingered nicely in the background. Voila — four tacos and a quesadilla soup was born. It was so delicious I have written down the recipe — something I rarely do.
I suggest you make this soup right away. Start by traveling to Mexico to escape winter and America’s politicians, and to encounter Barbacoa tacos. Hope that melding a wrinkled taco and a cheesy quesadilla will lead to something better. That should eventually prevail on the American political scene, but during the interim, one best make medicinal soup.
(2) comments
8 to 10 MILLION illegals over the border in three years.....
What part of this don't you understand?
Mexico is a good place for you......please stay.
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