Best Tortilla Soup

• FOR THE SOUP:
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 whole Large Onion, Peeled And Chopped
• 5 cloves Garlic, Peeled And Minced
• 4 cups Crushed Tomatoes
• 6 ounces, weight Tomato Paste (Optional. Use If You Like A Thicker Soup.)
• 10 cups Chicken Stock (preferably Homemade)
• 3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 2 Tablespoons To 3 Tablespoons Dried Oregano
• 3 cups Cooked Black Beans (I Simmered Mine With A Smoked Pork Neck, But You Can Substitute Drained, Rinsed Canned Beans If Necessary.)
• 4 cups To 5 Cups, Leftover Cooked Chicken, Shredded Or Cubed (This Is Roughly Equivalent To 5 On-bone Chicken Breast Halves Roasted And Picked.)
• 1 whole To 2 Fresh Jalapenos, Seeded And Minced (or 1-4 Tablespoons Candied Or Jarred Jalapenos, Minced) To Taste
• 4 whole To 8 Corn Tortillas, Minced (These Are Going To Thicken The Soup, So Add The Smaller Amount First. Add More If You Want To Thicken Up The Soup More.)
• 1/4 cups Lime Juice
• 1/2 cups Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• _____
• FOR THE OPTIONAL GARNISHES:
• Hot Cooked Rice
• Avocado Slices
• Additional Minced Cilantro
• Sour Cream
• Grated Cheese
• Chopped Green Onions
• Corn Tortilla Strips, Fried And Salted
• Corn Chips
• Lime Wedges To Squeeze Into The Soup

1. In big heavy pot, warm olive oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and a pinch of salt and sweat until semi-translucent. Add tomatoes, paste, stock, chili powder and oregano and bring to a boil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
2. Add beans, chicken, jalapeno, and minced tortillas and return to a boil. Drop heat to mid-low and simmer another 10 minutes. Test the thickness and seasoning of the soup. If you want it thicker, add more minced corn tortillas. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. You may find you need to add quite a bit of salt, but add it in small increments. It's always easier to add salt than it is to take it out! Continue simmering for about 25 minutes.
3. Remove from heat and stir in lime juice and cilantro. Serve with desired garnishes.
4. *Ungarnished leftovers can be portioned into serving size containers and frozen for future meals.
5. **To make fried tortilla strips (for garnishes): Add about 1-inch of canola or peanut oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Heat it over medium-high heat. Slice desired amount of corn tortillas into strips, thick or thin according to preference. Drop one strip of tortilla in to the oil. If bubbles form immediately around the edges and it appears to be boiling, the oil is ready. Drop a handful of tortilla strips into the oil and stir to separate. Fry about 1-2 minutes then use tongs to transfer to a paper towel lined plate. Sprinkle with salt and seasonings if desired.

olive oil, onion, garlic, tomatoes, tomato, chicken, chili powder, oregano, black beans, chicken, going to thicken, ubc, fresh cilantro, salt, rice, avocado slices, cilantro, sour cream, cheese, green onions, tortilla, corn chips, lime wedges

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/soups/best-tortilla-soup/ (may not work)