Chicken Tortilla Soup

While much of the country is in a deep freeze with cold temperatures and record falling snowfall 

I do declare this is a good day for soup. 

 You can make Mexican tortilla soup at home in 45 minutes and it’s so easy. Many of the ingredients get tossed into the pot all at once and before you know it this hearty, comforting soup is ready. And it tastes as good as your favorite restaurant version. This Mexican soup is a fairly recent incarnation. The soup is named for the fried corn tortilla strips used. It can usually be found on Mexican and Tex-Mex menus. Toppings for the soup include sour cream, avocado, cilantro, and homemade tortilla chips.

And yes AZ can be cold too. The past two-night temperatures were below the freezing mark and plants had to be covered. 
Chicken Tortilla Soup

Cook's notes: The soup turns up the heat with a bit of a kick to it with loads of Mexican flavor using Mexican salsa, cumin, and chili powder. Using a rotisserie chicken is a time saver. Prepared tortilla chips can be substituted over making your own. Recipe serves 4. 
Ingredients:

• 4 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles with juice
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup each mini sweet red and yellow peppers
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 32 oz. low sodium chicken broth
• 1 jar (7.76 oz.) Mexican salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon each cumin and chili powder
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 cups frozen corn, not thawed
• 1/2 can black beans drained and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, minced

Directions:

• In a large soup pot saute onions and peppers in 1 TB olive oil for 3 minutes. Add in garlic and saute 2 minutes more.
• Add in the rest of the ingredients except lime juice and cilantro. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook 45 minutes. Add lime juice and remove bay leaf before serving. Garnish with cilantro.

Optional Homemade Corn Tortillas Strips
Ingredients:

• 7 small corn tortillas
• Vegetable oil

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Lightly brush both sides of tortillas with oil.
• Cut into strips and place on a baking sheet. 
• Bake until crisp about 10 minutes.
• To serve, sprinkle crisp tortilla strips over soup.

"Worries go down better with soup"

Jewish Proverb

Looking for a fun winter entertaining idea? Think about hosting a Souperbowl Party. 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/02/souperbowl-sunday.html