A Steaming Bowl of Tortilla Soup!

Well, it's been a while. So sorry. I have been busy cooking and eating and baking and eating and eating and eating and cooking and eating.....but I'm back and will try to be better about sharing my yummies! The good news is that it's only 8:30 AM right now and dinner is done! This is one of my favorite soups that Mimi makes, and I had to share because it is all of the following: fast, easy, healthy, delicious, and did I mention yummy???

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons olive oil
5 gloves garlic, smashed (or 2 1/2 teaspoons minced from jar)
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
2 red bell peppers, coarsely chopped
2 whole leeks, coarsely chopped and rinsed well
2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped (or 1 can diced tomatoes)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 quarts (8 cups) chicken broth
6 corn tortillas
salt, pepper

DIRECTIONS

• heat oil
• add garlic and cook for 1 minute
• add celery, onion, leeks and peppers and saute over medium heat until soft, 8-10 minutes
• add tomatoes and cumin and cook 2 minutes
• add broth, bring to boil and simmer 25 minutes
• tear corn tortillas into pieces and add to broth mixture, simmer for 10 more minutes
• remover from heat and use immersion blender or transfer in batches to blender
• puree until smooth, add salt and pepper to taste

Optional garnishes: avocado, sour cream, corn tortillas cut into strips and fried or store-bought chips

This soup is truly super yummy, satisfying as a meal and so easy to make! Can't wait to eat dinner! Enjoy!