The weekend seemed to have a Mexican theme around every turn…

It started with The Very Best Guacamole.
Then dinner at a Mexican restaurant.
Then a Salsa Showdown and Jalapeño Eating Contest.

And it even continued at church. A visiting pastor from a Hispanic church delivered the message in Spanish (which was translated to English for a dual language service). His church’s worship team also led worship in both Spanish and English. They did a great job!

So, I kept the theme rolling by testing out a recipe for Tortilla Soup from a cookbook called The Vegan Slow Cooker by Kathy Hester. This is the second recipe I’ve tried from Kathy’s cookbook (the first was Carrot Cake & Zucchini Bread Oatmeal – recipe to come). Both were delicious! While all of the recipes in this cookbook are meant to be made with a slow cooker, I made this soup on the stove top. I imagine it would be even more flavorful if the ingredients had 6 to 8 hours to meld. Either way, I think you’ll like it!

Bonus – this soup is also soy-free and gluten-free!

SERVES 4 to 6

***

SOUP INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium-size onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced (or crushed with garlic press)
1 – 28 oz. can diced or crushed tomatoes
3 Tbsp. tomato paste
4 cups water
Juice of ½ lime
1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro (I used about 2 Tbsp.)
1 tsp. cumin
½ tsp. chili powder
¼ cup tequila (optional)
1 tsp. agave nectar or maple syrup
Salt and pepper, to taste

optional:
For a heartier soup, add 1 to 2 cups cubed chicken-flavored seitan (I did not use this ingredient).
For a spicy soup, add ½ tsp. ground cayenne pepper and 1 tsp. hot sauce (I did this and Hubs loved it).

TOPPINGS:
½ avocado, chopped and tossed with some lime juice and chili powder
tortilla chips (used gluten-free if desired), slightly crushed

STEP 1
(If using a slow cooker, do this step the night before and store in an airtight container in the fridge.) Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat and sauté the onion until translucent, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute longer.

STEP 2
(If using a slow cooker, do STEP 2 the following morning.) Combine the remaining soup ingredients in a large pot (or in the slow cooker).

If preparing on stove top: Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes.

If using a slow cooker: Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.

STEP 3
Taste and adjust seasoning. Purée the soup with an immersion blender or in batches in a countertop blender. Or, skip this step and leave the soup chunky. (I used a blender and I don’t recommend skipping this step – it gives the soup a great texture.)

STEP 4
Add optional seitan and continue cooking soup (on high if using a slow cooker) until soup is warmed thoroughly.

STEP 5
Top bowls of hot soup with the avocado and crushed tortilla chips.

Serve this soup with The Very Best Guacamole and tortilla chips for a festive, healthy meal.

Thanks again to Kathy Hester for this tasty recipe!