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Easy Tortilla Soup

This recipe is #3 in a series of easy recipes for Cinco de Mayo.

This version of easy tortilla soup is the kind that we have been making for years. It is broth based (use chicken broth or vegetable broth) and then an assortment of “additions” go into the broth to form the basis for the soup.  Next, and we think this is the  best part, is the variety of toppings that you can use for this soup. We like to serve the soup up in bowls and then allow each person to add their own toppings at the table.

This easy tortilla soup is also a great way to use up leftovers such as rice, beans or vegetables, as the soup is so flexible.  In addition you can make this soup as spicy as you like with some of the suggestions under variations.

Because this soup is so flexible and forgivng, we are only going to give you a general guideline for amounts that you will need. You may want to add more beans or chicken if this soup is a “main dish” soup, and use less, or omit all together if this soup is going to be served along with other hearty choices.

What you need:

Soup:

  • Trader Joe’s vegetable or chicken stock (1 quart)
  • Cooked, diced chicken
  • 1 can beans  (pinto or black) rinsed and drained
  • 1-2 cups Leftover vegetables (or Trader Joe’s Organic Foursome frozen diced vegetables)

Toppings:

  • Diced avocado
  • Shredded cheese
  • Sliced green onions
  • Crushed tortilla chips

How to:

1. Bring the stock to a boil in a large pan.

2. Add the remaining soup ingredients and let simmer for 20-30 minutes, to let all the flavors blend together.

3. Serve the soup and pass small bowls of the toppings.

Variations:

  • Add 1 can Trader Joe’s diced green chilies to the soup for more spice.
  • Add cooked rice to the soup
  • Add cooked chorizo or taco meat instead of chicken
  • Additional toppings include: Chicharrones (fried pork skin), diced tomatoes, sour cream or Durango dip, olives
  • Squeeze of lime juice

As you can see, this recipe is almost limitless in what you can add to the soup.  You could make this soup when you want to use up an assortment of leftovers (especially after tacos or fajitas some night), and just have a quart of Trader Joe’s chicken or vegetable stock on hand ready to make into this soup.

Did you make this soup? What were your favorite toppings?

Trader Joe’s Easy Soup Recipe

Trader Joe's EZ Soup

Trader Joe's EZ Soup

Here is an easy soup recipe that we made last night. We like to have the basic ingredients on hand for those nights when you wish  to  make a quick soup. Like those  days when the weather gets suddenly cool and you think “gee I wish we could have soup tonight”  without a lot of prep and running around.

We call this Trader Joe’s EZ soup.

This soup starts with some basic ingredients, and then you can add other items to jazz it up, or leave it as is- that is up to you.

Another idea: make this soup on a weekly basis, as an easy and  great way to use up leftover vegetables and meat and rice and pasta. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination (and how hungry you are)

Basic Ingredients

  • Trader Joe’s Stock in a box- any kind you like
  • Trader Joe’s Organic Foursome frozen mixed veggies
  • Trader Joe’s garbanzo beans
  • Trader Joe’s white beans

How to:

Combine these ingredients in a pan and heat till boiling, then simmer for 5- 30 minutes to blend the flavors. If you have the time/ desire, cook some diced onions and garlic in the pan for 5 minutes before adding the beans. Then you can season the soup with salt and pepper, Trader Joe’s seasoning blends or whatever you prefer.

Variations:

Italian Soup:

  • ½ to 1 jar spaghetti sauce (good way to use up leftovers)
  • Cooked short noodles like penne
  • Trader Joe’s Italian seasoning mix
  • Cooked sausages cut into chunks

Chicken soup:

  • Add leftover diced chicken
  • Egg noodles or cooked rice
Trader Joe's EZ soup with Pork

Trader Joe's EZ soup with Pork

Here is one of our Trader Joe’s EZ soups with some leftover smoked pork shoulder and a can of diced green chilies added for some kick!  (go leftovers, go leftovers- our neighbor just LOVED this soup).

Enjoy this recipe and let us know how you jazzed up your Trader Joe’s EZ soup