It's easy being green

Pasole verde is one of my favourite soups. There's something soul warming about it - the flavour is fresh yet comforting. It requires a couple of specialty items, but if you can locate them it's well worth the effort (which is minimal to start with). Any decent Latin American grocery market should stock the ingredients you seek. Here's how I do it:

Soup ingredients

• 3 Cups good chicken stock
• 1/2 small onion, chopped
• teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 tsp dried Mexican oregano (must be Mexican!)
• 1/2 Cup cooked hominy (maize kernels treated with alkali)
• handful of shredded chicken
• 1 Cup chopped green lettuce (anything but iceberg)

Garnish (to taste)

• cubed avocado
• crumbled feta cheese, or queso fresco if you have it
• chopped cilantro
• fresh squeezed lime juice (I like key limes)
• dash of dried Mexican oregano
• salt/pepper

In a heavy bottomed, medium-sized pot, heat the olive oil then saute the onion until transparent. Add the stock, 1/2 tsp Mexican oregano and hominy: bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, then add the shredded chicken. Simmer for 5 or 10 minutes. Place the chopped lettuce in the bottom of 2 large bowls, ladle soup over the lettuce and garnish at will. Savour.

If you like Mexican food and need an authentic reference, I highly recommend Rick Baylis' Mexican Kitchen.

If you like buying excellent quality dried spices for a decent price, try Penzeys.

If you want to buy 5 lbs of dried chili peppers during an online shopping spree inspired by a cold winter night, try Pendery's... Enjoy.