Accidental Bitter Orange and Red Wine Soup

There are always happy accidents and this is a recipe rife with them.

Firstly, my nice bottle of red wine was left out on the table as I was sick and unable to drink it, effectively turning it a little into port.  Secondly, I had wished to purchase oranges at the supermarket and accidentally got “naranja agria” or bitter orange, which just won’t do.  But that along with a whole chicken, some onions, tayota, carrots, garlic and splashes or spice and herb magic rendered a fantastic soup!

To re-create this accident, you will need:

1 BIG cooking pot

1 whole tasty chicken

2 huge tayotas, peeled and cut into chunks

3 large carrots, peeled and sliced

3 large red onions, peeled and sliced

8 cloves of garlic, minced

2 bitter oranges, zested and juiced.

½ tsp of oregano

¼ tsp of cumin

Half a bottle of red wine and 3 cups of water

Salt to taste

Lime juice to taste
4 tomatoes, chopped

Cilantro, chopped to garnish

Mix together the juice of the oranges with the zest, the oregano, cumin, garlic.          Wash chicken with vinegar and pat dry.  Apply bitter orange paste all over and refrigerate overnight.  The next day shove everything in the big pot, chicken on the bottom with breast pointing up (yes, skin and all).  Bring to a boil, then turn down heat to simmer for 2 hours.  At the end of 2 hours, turn off and let cool until you can handle the chicken.  Take all meat off chicken and dispose of bones (meat should be very soft and easily removed).  Skim grease off top of soup, then add chicken and tomatoes.  Bring back to almost boil then turn off, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and lime juice.  Serve with a flourish of cilantro, or even better some fresh zest sprinkled on top for some real zing!