Mexican Vegetable Soup

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 5 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon Rite Aid 2 For $7.00 thru 02/06
• 1-1/4 cups onions, chopped
• 1-1/4 cups celery, chopped
• 10 cloves minced garlic
• 1-1/4 gal. water
• 1/3 cup chicken base
• 15 each large plum tomatoes, roasted, peeled and chopped King Sooper's 1 lb For $0.99 thru 02/09
• 2-1/2 cups frozen corn
• 10 each green chiles, roasted, peeled and chopped
• 10 each blue corn tortillas (6 inch)
• 5 each yellow corn tortillas (6 inch)
• 1-1/2 Tbsp. fresh oregano (Mexican), chopped
• 2-1/2 tsp. fresh thyme, minced
• 2-1/2 tsp. ground cumin
• 1-1/4 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/4 tsp. ground allspice
• 1/4 tsp. white pepper
• 20 each cilantro sprigs

1. Toast oats in 350F-standard oven for 5 min.
2. or until golden brown, stirring occasionally; set aside.
3. Cut bacon crosswise into thin slices.
4. Saute in large stockpot until crisp.
5. Remove bacon from stockpot with slotted spoon, reserving drippings in stockpot; set aside.
6. Add onions, celery and garlic to reserved bacon drippings; saute until vegetables are tender.
7. Return bacon to stockpot along with the water, chicken base, tomatoes, corn and chilies; mix well.
8. Bring to boil on medium-high heat.
9. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover.
10. Simmer 20 min.
11. Meanwhile, spray both sides of tortillas lightly with cooking spray.
12. Cut into thin strips; spread into shallow baking pans.
13. Bake in 350F-standard oven for 10 min.
14. or until crisp.
15. Set aside until ready to use.
16. Add oats, oregano, thyme, cumin, coriander, allspice and pepper to soup; stir.
17. Cook an additional 10 min., stirring occasionally.
18. For each serving: Portion 1 cup of the soup into serving bowl.
19. Garnish with tortilla strips and a cilantro sprig.

oldfashioned oats, bacon, onions, celery, garlic, water, chicken base, tomatoes, frozen corn, green chiles, corn tortillas, corn tortillas, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, ground cumin, ground coriander, ground allspice, white pepper, cilantro

Taken from www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/mexican-vegetable-soup-105006.aspx (may not work)