Rosario's Mexican Cafe y Cantina Caldo de Res

6 pieces beef soup bones with meat
1 onion, cut into 2 pieces
1 head garlic plus 6 cloves
2 tomatoes
2 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
8 red potatoes, cut in half
2 zucchini, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 ears corn on the cob, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 head cabbage, cut in chunks or shredded salt to taste

Garnish:
1/2 bunch chopped cilantro

Lemon wedges Place soup bones in a large stockpot and fill with 1 gallon of water. Add half the onion and the head of garlic to stock. Bring to a boil and let simmer for at least 2 hours. Skim off any foam that may accumulate.

While stock is simmering, place tomatoes on foil-lined cookie sheet and place under broiler. When top sides of tomatoes are blackened, turn tomatoes over and blacken the bottoms. Remove from oven and place in blender along with 1/2 onion and 6 cloves of garlic. Add a little water. Blend. Strain through a medium mesh strainer.

When stock has simmered for two hours, add vegetables, starting with carrots and potatoes. Then add tomato puree. When vegetables are almost done, add zucchini and cabbage. Adjust flavor with salt.

Garnish soup with chopped cilantro and lemon wedges.

NOTE: If desired, remove the meat from the bones, before adding the vegetables.

Makes 6 servings.