Sopa Caldosa de Espinaca con Pasta

• •1 cup Pasta de codito o fideo (elbow pasta or vermicelli, broken into small pieces)
• •1 piece Chayote (medium, peeled and finely diced)
• •2 cloves Ajo (finely minced)
• •0.5 piece Cebolla (small, finely diced)
• •1 tbsp Aceite vegetal
• •1 liter Agua
• •to taste Sal
• •1 piece Cubito de caldo de pollo (or 1 tsp granulated bouillon)
• •2 bunches Espinaca fresca (about 6-8 oz, finely chopped)

Instructions

1. 1

   Heat the vegetable oil in a medium pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the pasta (codito or fideo) and sauté, stirring frequently, until lightly golden brown. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Remove the pasta from the pot and set aside.

2. 2

   In the same pot, add the finely diced chayote, minced garlic, and diced onion. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, or until the onion is translucent and the chayote begins to soften slightly.

3. 3

   Pour in the 1 liter of water. Add the chicken bouillon cube and salt to taste. Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, or until the chayote is tender.

4. 4

   Add the reserved sautéed pasta to the pot. Continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked al dente.

5. 5

   Just before the soup is fully cooked, stir in the finely chopped fresh spinach. Let it simmer for an additional 2-3 minutes, just until the spinach wilts and turns bright green.

6. 6

   Remove the pot from the heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Ladle the hot soup into bowls and serve immediately.

Chef's Tips

• 💡For extra flavor, you can use homemade chicken broth instead of water and a bouillon cube.
• 💡If you prefer a thicker soup, you can add a small amount of tomato paste along with the water in step 3.
• 💡Serve this comforting soup with a side of crispy tostadas or warm corn tortillas for dipping.
• 💡Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pasta may absorb more liquid upon reheating, so you might need to add a splash of water or broth.