Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe

I had 5 tortillas left-over from the burritos we made over the weekend that were going stale, so I decided to make a large pot of tortilla soup. I use the tortillas as a thickening agent in the soup, and also as a garnish on top of the dish. To the tortillas I added tomatoes and tomato paste for a little tartness, jalapeños for a little heat, and some kidney beans and soy chorizo for protein.

The spices give the soup an earthy flavor and the Cotija cheese and sour cream that I top each serving with are very soothing for the taste-buds.

Tortilla soup is a really hearty dish that’s the perfect cure for the dreary weather we’ve been having here as of late.

1. Info for Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe

• Cook Time: unavailable
• Total Time: unavailable
• Servings: 6
• Calories: unavailable

2. Ingredients for Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Recipe

• 3 (14-ounce) cans low-sodium vegetable broth
• 3 tablespoons canola oil, as needed
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 4 tomatoes, blanched, peeled and diced
• 5 (5-inch diameter) (2-day-old) tortillas
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 tablespoons red kidney beans, drained
• 1 sprig oregano
• juice of two limes , freshly squeezed
• 8 tablespoons soy chorizo
• 1 jalapeño pepper, roasted, seeded, finely diced
• 1 red bell pepper, roasted, seeded, finely diced
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin powder, freshly ground
• 2 tablespoons Cotija cheese
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes, to taste
• 1 tablespoon onion chives (optional), finely snipped

3. Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Stack all the tortillas. Halve them, turn them 90° and cut them into 1/4-inch strips. Place them on a greased baking sheet, drizzle about 2 tablespoons of avocado oil and bake for 10-12 minutes until crispy. Reserve a few strips for garnish.
3. In a blender, combine the roasted bell pepper and roasted jalapeño. Add a little vegetable broth for a smooth flow. Set aside.
4. In a pot, heat 2 tablespoons of canola oil. Add the onions. Cook for a few minutes until translucent. Transfer them to a platter and set aside.
5. In the same pot, add the minced garlic. Cook until slightly golden. Add the soy chorizo. Stir frequently. Cook for about 2-3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to another platter. Set aside.
6. In the pot, add more canola oil (if necessary), the sprig of oregano, bay leaf, cumin powder, red chili flakes, fried onions, diced tomatoes, tomato paste and red kidney beans. Stir well. Add the vegetable broth. Bring the liquid to a boil, then lower to a simmer for about 10 minutes. Add the tortilla strips. Cook for about 10-15 minutes. Stir in a tablespoon of cilantro and the lime juice. Remove and discard the bay leaf and sprig of oregano. Using an immersion blender (or transfer to a regular blender), lightly blend the soup. Season with salt and pepper. Turn off the heat. Add the soy chorizo and Cotija cheese. Drizzle with lime juice and avocado oil.
7. Ladle the tortilla soup into bowls. Garnish with a few strips of tortillas, diced avocado, a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with a little black pepper. Top with more cheese and finely snipped onion chives if you like a stronger flavor. Finish with the remaining cilantro.
8. Serve immediately. Bon appétit!