By Mary Luz Mejia

Sometimes, there's nothing better than a piping hot bowl of chicken soup to restore the senses, and if that soup happens to be of the Mexican pozole variety, then in my books, so much the better.

When the mood strikes for the warm comfort of satisfying soup, I head To Dos Amigos where co-owner/chef Enrique Flores prepares pozole the way it should be --with patience and skill.

He starts by roasting guajillo and ancho chillis to release their flavour, and then uses a Mexican molcajete (volcanic rock mortar and pestle) to remove the flesh from the skins. He adds this to a chicken broth base that has been simmering on the stove, along with shredded chicken meat, spices, hominy corn kernels and freshly squeezed lime juice.

Once the flavours marry, a soup bowl is presented with shredded lettuce on top for a crispy bite as well as some savoury condiments you can add to suit your taste. There are chopped radishes, lime wedges and chilli flakes for added heat. The result is a well-balanced, warm and hearty soup that Mexicans say is the ultimate hangover cure when too much tequila has been imbibed the night before.

Sometimes, for a change of texture, I order tostadas -- crunchy flat Corn tortillas that are topped with chicken, pork or beef, pico de gallo salsa, refried beans, lettuce, fresh cheese, tomatillo sauce and sour cream. And if I'm feeling like a leisurely end to my meal, I order the cafe de olla (Mexican coffee) that's just like having dessert in a cup.

So take you're time and enjoy the cosy ambience at Dos Amigos, because when in Mexico, you should never be rushed.

Dos Amigos
1201 Bathurst Street
Toronto, Ontario
(416) 534-2528

photo credit: Mary Luz Mejia