Tortilla Soup Recipe (and a bonus picture) in The Long and Winding Road

A couple of people asked me for the tortilla soup recipe so I typed it out here last night, and then lost my WiFi connection, and lost the entry. I was too tired to retype it, but I promised I’d be back. So here it is. If you don’t care about the recipe, just scroll down for the picture, cuz I think it’s cute and I want you to see it.

CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP (or leave out the chicken for a vegetarian variety)

1 - small white onion, chopped
3 - green onions, chopped (add white parts to white onion, save greens for garnish)
1 - red bell pepper, seeded and chopped (I accidentally left this out and it was fine, the soup has a lot of kick)
2 - cloves garlic, minced
2 - tsp. cumin
1-1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. sea salt
pepper to taste
1 - cup frozen corn (I added a little more because I had it)
1 - 14.5 oz. can black beans
2 - 14.5 oz. cans fire roasted diced tomatoes
2 - tbsp. lime juice
2 - 32 oz. boxes low sodium chicken broth
1 - hot deli roasted chicken, shred meat from bones
2 - tbsp. oil for sauteing

GARNISHES (Choose which ones you want):

1 cup Cilantro
Fritos or tortilla strips
Cheddar cheese
Sour Cream

DIRECTIONS:

• Heat oil on med. in a deep pan (Dutch oven)
• Add onions and peppers, saute for 5 minutes until soft
• Add garlic, stirring, saute 1 minute longer
• Add cumin, chili powder, salt & pepper, beans, corn and tomatoes, stir
• Add chicken broth and lime juice, bring to a low simmer for 10 minutes
• Taste, add more seasons if desired
• Add shredded chicken and cook another 15 minutes
• Ladle soup into bowls and top with desired garnishes

THE END OF RECIPE!

Ok now the picture. Today is Sarah’s big 40th birthday. I’m heading over to their house after work and we’re going out to a little surprise party for her at a pub. I am, of course, taking a birthday gift. Usually I would also take balloons or flowers because she is my only child and her birthday is always very special to me. But they are leaving on Friday for her birthday trip to Mexico, so flowers or balloons wouldn’t be appreciated for very long. So I found these little battery operated white lights. I LOVE white lights and I stock up on them during the holidays. And it is going to be a lot of fun to arrive at their house tonight in the dark, carrying this birthday gift!

That’s all for now, folks!