When thinking of warm home comfort, delicious soups are never far from mind. One of the most flavorful and traditional dishes in Mexican cuisine is Pinta Hen Soup. This dish originates from northern Mexico, specifically the Sonora region, and despite its name, the original recipe is made with beef—typically shank, tail, and flank—pinto beans, and pozole corn.
There is a version that suggests this dish originally came from the meals prepared by ranchers headed to the Sierra of Sonora in search of cattle. The conditions they endured there only allowed them to cook grains with parts of meat in a broth, helping them meet their nutritional needs. As for the name, interestingly, it is not made with hen but with beef, and it is believed that 'pinta' refers to the color contrast created by the corn and beans while they cook.
Undoubtedly, this dish is incredibly delicious, with the main ingredients cooked slowly to soften well and release all their flavors, which are complemented by the aroma and the unmatched touch of onions, garlic, and the inescapable chilies, making it a true Sonoran broth. If it is seasoned with spicy red chili (chile colorado), the broth can take on a reddish hue, thus being called Red Pinta Hen.
Regardless of how it is prepared, Sonorans love this dish because it is full of flavors rooted in family tradition, history, and cultural roots. Don't forget to enjoy it with a little cilantro and chili to add that very special Mexican touch.
