mexican lime soup

• 1 onion, chopped roughly
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped roughly
• 1 red chilli, chopped roughly
• 4 tomatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 tbsp peanut oil
• 1/4 tsp ground allspice
• 400ml vegetable stock
• 2 tsp grated lime rind
• 60ml lime juice
• 3 tbsp tomato puree

to serve:

• a couple of flour or corn tortillas, cut into small strips, fried in peanut oil
• 1 avocado, cored, peeled and cubed
• a couple of spring onions, chopped finely
• a little chopped fresh coriander

place onion, garlic, red chilli and tomatoes in a blender and make a smooth paste.

heat the oil in large saucepan and add the paste and the allspice. cook for a couple of minutes, stirring constantly, until the mixture becomes fragrant.

pour the stock into the pan, add the lime lime rind and juice and tomato puree. add about a litre of water, bring to the boil and cook for 15 - 20 minutes. adjust the flavour with more lime juice.

serve with the fried tortilla strips, avocado, spring onion and coriander.