Southwestern Soup

Ingredients

2 tb canola oil
5/8 c onion
1 garlic clove
1 t cumin
1 tb oregano
1 jalapeno pepper core seed
1 bell pepper core seed
1 qt vegetable broth
1 c corn kernels
1/4 c lime juice
2 c beans
1 c tomatoes peel seed
1 avocado see note
3 tb cilantro
6 corn tortillas

Instructions

Note on Avocado: peel, pit, chop and toss with a little lime juice. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over medium heat in a large heavy pot. Add the onion, garlic, cumin, oregano, jalapeno, and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until the onion is transparent, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the corn, lime juice, and beans and bring back to a simmer. Add the tomatoes, avocado, and cilantro and remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. While the soup is simmering, heat the remaining oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, then fry the tortilla strips until crisp, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on towels. Put several strips in each bowl, then pour in the soup. Recipe By : Maggie Oster's Herb Garden (1993:43) NY: MacMillan