The Pleasures of Simple Food

I was introduced to this light, simple soup last summer. As I was researching it I found out it’s a much simplified version of “posole”, a traditional Mexican soup. My version is made with hominy and chicken, then topped with radishes and lettuce. The combination sounds a little strange, but it has passed the taste test many times. A squirt of lime juice before serving adds a little kick of flavor that balances the soup perfectly and sets off the lettuce.

There are many versions of this soup, some add jalapeno and garlic for a spicier soup. Others make a thicker stew-like soup. This is my version, I like it because it’s simple and the chicken and the lime complement each other perfectly.

To make this recipe really easy get the cooked chicken and radishes from the salad bar. You can halve the recipe if you don’t need 8 servings. But you can always make more than you need or who knows? Have a soup party.

Simple Posole

6 cups chicken stock (about 4 cups)

1 chicken breast, cooked and chopped

1 can white hominy, drained

3 or 4 sliced radishes

Juice of one lime

Sliced iceberg lettuce for topping

Place chicken stock, hominy, and chicken in pot and simmer. Remove pot from heat and stir in radish slices. Spoon into bowls top with lettuce and squeeze lime juice onto soup and lettuce.

Here’s another version you could try.

This is a version from Cooking Light magazine. It’s a light recipe with a more savory taste.

This is a traditional style posole, made with red chilies and spicy.

- Alison