Tortilla Soup

Extras:

Mexican

Leftovers

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon chili powder, to taste
1 can (15 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted if possible
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow or red onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
¼ teaspoon fine salt, more to taste
4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth
4 corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch long, ¼-inch-wide strips
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to

degrees.

Method:

In a medium Dutch oven or soup pot, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and turning translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the garlic and cumin (and chili powder, if using) and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the tomato-chili pepper blend (or just plain tomatoes, if going the chili powder route) and cook for a minute, while stirring, to bring out its best flavor.
Add the beans and broth, and stir to combine. Raise the mixture to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make the crispy tortilla strips. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. On the baking sheet, toss the tortilla strips with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and a sprinkle of salt until lightly and evenly coated. Bake until the strips are crisp and starting to turn golden, about 8 to 12 minutes, tossing halfway. Set aside.
Stir most of the cilantro into the soup, reserving a bit for garnish. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice. Carefully taste the soup, and add more salt if the flavors don’t quite sing (I often add up to ¼ teaspoon salt). Add more lime juice if you’d like a little more zing.
Divide the soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla strips, the reserved cilantro and any additional garnishes of your choice. Leftovers will keep well for up to 5 days; rewarm individual servings and top with garnishes when serving. Or freeze individual portions for several months and add toppings after reheating.

1 teaspoon chili powder, to taste
1 can (15 ounces) diced or crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted if possible
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow or red onion, chopped
1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
¼ teaspoon fine salt, more to taste
4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 cans (15 ounces each) black beans, rinsed and drained
4 cups (32 ounces) vegetable broth
4 corn tortillas, cut into 2-inch long, ¼-inch-wide strips
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
1 to 2 tablespoons lime juice, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

In a medium Dutch oven or soup pot, warm 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, and salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender and turning translucent, about 5 to 7 minutes.
Add the garlic and cumin (and chili powder, if using) and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add the tomato-chili pepper blend (or just plain tomatoes, if going the chili powder route) and cook for a minute, while stirring, to bring out its best flavor.
Add the beans and broth, and stir to combine. Raise the mixture to medium-high and bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat as necessary to maintain a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes.
In the meantime, preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to make the crispy tortilla strips. Line a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. On the baking sheet, toss the tortilla strips with the remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil and a sprinkle of salt until lightly and evenly coated. Bake until the strips are crisp and starting to turn golden, about 8 to 12 minutes, tossing halfway. Set aside.
Stir most of the cilantro into the soup, reserving a bit for garnish. Stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice. Carefully taste the soup, and add more salt if the flavors don’t quite sing (I often add up to ¼ teaspoon salt). Add more lime juice if you’d like a little more zing.
Divide the soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla strips, the reserved cilantro and any additional garnishes of your choice. Leftovers will keep well for up to 5 days; rewarm individual servings and top with garnishes when serving. Or freeze individual portions for several months and add toppings after reheating.