Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion and a pinch of salt; cook until translucent, 4–5 minutes. Yes, you’re building flavor right from the base.

Add garlic and spices. Stir 30 seconds until fragrant. The kitchen should start to smell like a good taco ad—tempting, right?

Pour in vegetable broth, hominy, tomatoes, and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer and let it cook gently for 15–20 minutes. This is when the magic happens—mellow, smoky, cozy.

If using jackfruit or mushroom meat, stir it in now and simmer 5–8 minutes more to soak up the flavors. It adds heartiness without stealing the show from the spice blend.

Remove bay leaf. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and heat. If it needs more zing, a pinch of chili powder does the trick.

Serve hot with toppings: lime, cilantro, onion, cabbage, avocado, and radishes. The toppings steal the show—don’t skip them.