Food on Friday: Mrs. Giorgi’s Traditional Irish Tortilla Soup

Many years ago we visited our friend Dan Giorgi’s parents’ house in Leawood to watch a football game. I don’t remember which teams were playing, or who was there, or what was said. But I will never forget the tortilla soup that Dan’s mom served us. It’s a delicious hodgepodge of ingredients and enriched by a variety of toppings. This time of year I load it up with avocados, which can usually be found for about a dollar at the Hen House.

I couldn’t resist printing the response I received when I first asked Dan for this recipe in 2006:

It just so happens that I have that recipe and my mom is tickled to death that you two remember her traditional Irish tortilla soup. The story is too long and complicated for an email, but someday I’ll have to tell you where the recipe came from. As a bit of a teaser: “The Famine began quite mysteriously in September 1845 as leaves on potato plants suddenly turned black and curled, then rotted, seemingly the result of a fog that had wafted across the fields of Ireland.” The Blight Begins, The Irish Potato Famine. The History Place, 2000

We never did get to hear more about the recipe. Not long after that day the Giorgis moved north to Duluth, Minnesota. We miss them terribly, but their memory lives on in our hearts (and stomachs).

Recipe’s after the jump.

Mrs. Giorgi’s Traditional Irish Tortilla Soup

5-6 cooked chicken breasts (boil and shred into large pieces)
1 med. onion, chopped
3 large cloves garlic, minced
2 Tbs. olive oil
3 quartered zucchini
4 cans (56 oz.) chicken broth
32 oz. stewed tomatoes
32 oz. tomato soup
24 oz. frozen corn
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp. pepper
Cilantro (wasn’t in original recipe, but may add about 1/4 cup chopped.)

In a large pot, saute garlic and onion in olive oil until tender. Then add all the other ingredients to the pot and simmer for aprox. 2 hours. It’s best if made the day before serving, and can be served with: avocado, tortilla chips, monterey jack/cheddar cheese, sour cream, or
really anything else you can think of. Enjoy!