Procrastination Recipe: Mexican Tortilla Soup

I love making soup. I'm not sure why. Maybe it's the slowness of it, simmering on the stovetop for hours making the apartment smell like veggies and broth, maybe it's that it makes so much and I can freeze portions for nights when I don't feel like cooking.

This past weekend I couldn't shake a cough and after getting a good chunk of writing done (Book 2 in the Kissing Frogs series!!!) I told myself I was allowed to make some soup. This recipe is so easy and I brought leftovers with me to my father's house and both he and my sister loved it (in fact, I made fun of how my sister nearly licked the bowl clean).

Ingredients:
1 large onion (white or yellow), chopped
4 garlic cloves, chopped (or smashed, however you prefer)
1 can green chiles, diced
2 cups frozen corn
1 can black beans (drained and washed)
28 oz can of tomatoes, crushed
1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
salt and pepper to taste

Toppings (optional):
soup cream
cheddar cheese
avocado
lime slice
tortilla chips (I took some old, stale taco shells, tore them to pieces and fried them in oil for a few minutes in a saute pan, freshened them right up)



Directions:
In a large soup pot, I sauteed the onion until translucent with a bit of olive oil. Then I added in the garlic, chiles and seasonings. I stirred for a while until everything was well coated (probably about 5 minutes) and added a little more olive oil when necessary to keep things from sticking to the pan. Then I added the tomatoes and broth, stirring until it warmed. Then I took about half the soup and put it in the blender for a few seconds and then returned it to the soup pot. I still wanted it to be chunky but I know not everyone likes big chunks of onion or chiles.

Then added in the beans and corn. I let it simmer for about twenty minutes so everything could meld flavors. You could also add in any peppers (spicy or sweet) when you saute the onion if you like.  For garnish I squeezed the juice of a lime slice, cut up an avocado and added sour cream and some cheese. It was absolutely delicious and would be great for a party where your guests can garnish their own bowl as they please.

Happy Eating!

~Stephanie