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                    IdahoŽ Potato and Huitlacoche Soup with Oaxaca Cheese Croutons
                       Courtesy of Idaho Potato Commission 
                        
                        Servings: 8
                         Prep Time: 20 Min. Cook Time: 25 Min. What you need: (click + to add ingredients to your shopping list) + 2 Tbsp. olive oil + 1/2 Spanish onion, chopped + 1/2 jalapeņo pepper, diced + 2 large IdahoŽ potatoes, peeled and diced + 12 oz. huitlacoche (canned) + 2 quart chicken stock or water + salt, to taste + pepper, to taste Croutons + 8 oz. Oaxaca cheese (Chihuahua) or other similar to mozzarella + 1/2 c. flour + 1 egg, lightly beaten + 1 1/4 c. panko bread crumbs + olive oil + If you can't find huitlacoche, mushrooms are a good substitute, especially Portobello mushrooms with their stronger flavor. What to do: 1. Heat olive oil in large saucepan and cook onion and jalapeņo pepper until soft, 2-3 min.  Add potatoes, huitlacoche and stock.  Season with salt and pepper.  Bring to simmer and cook until potatoes are tender. 2. Let soup rest for 5 min. Carefully blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning if necessary. 3. Croutons: Prepare croutons by cutting cheese into 1/2-in. squares. Dip in flour, then in eggs and then in bread crumbs. Fry cheese in olive oil until golden brown, about 30-45 seconds. 4. Reheat soup if necessary and serve garnished with cheese croutons. * Recipe courtesy of Julian Medina, Executive Chef, Zocala, New York City. | 
 
        

