Chicken & Tortilla Soup.RECIPE.a hearty meal in a bowl

This is an easy soup recipe and great to have at hand, in the upcoming winter months.
Use what ever vegetables you have on hand and always use lots of cooked dried beans...whatever you prefer.


serves 6

1 pound lean ground meat ( beef, chicken, turkey & etc)
1 tbsp neutral oil

6 cups water
2 cups chopped onions
3 cups 1/2 inch cubed potatoes
2 cloves garlic smashed
1 cup chopped squash ( optional)
1 cup fresh or defrosted drained sweetcorn ( optional)
1/2 cup chopped bell pepper ( optional)
2 cups chopped carrots

1 x15ozs canned chopped tomatoes
1 cup cooked  dried beans ( trad. pinto beans)
1 tsp ground chili powder
OR
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
OR 1 tsp chopped chipotle pepper in adobe sauce
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp dried marjoram
 Salt & pepper

garnish
1/2 cup minced cilantro (inc. stems)
lemon/lime wedges
either baked or fried tortilla strips or chips  (corn or flour, your choice, or croutons)

In a large Dutch oven or heavy saucepan, brown the meat in the hot oil, add the onions, garlic and carrots and cook over high heat for 10 mins to develop color and flavors, add the rest of the ingredients, and cook on medium high simmer  for about 40 mins.
Season with salt and pepper (1 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper)
remove any scum that floats to surface

Check seasonings and that potatoes are tender, serve in bowls with minced cilantro and tortilla chips/strips

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