Vegan Week: Tortilla Soup

Yesterday, my husband said to me, very gently, "I'm a little souped out".  My thoughts? Too bad. Soups are for me among the tastiest and most satisfying ways to comply with a vegan diet. No apologies here.

Wednesday I ate:

• veggie burrito
• winter minestrone
• coconut cookie**
• salt & vinegar chips
• Gardein strips
• Chipotle casserole
• to drink: coffee, tea, coke, water

Veggie Tortilla Soup (serves 6-8)

• 1 1/2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 3 large garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tbsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 qt veggie broth
• 14 oz can diced tomatoes with juice
• 1 can pinto beans 
• 1 1/2 C corn kernels 
• juice of 3 limes
• zest of 1 lime
• 3 chipotles in adobo, chopped
• 1/3 C cilantro, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste
• chopped avocados
• tortilla chips 

1. Heat the oil in a heavy stock pot over med-high heat. Add the onions, and saute, stirring frequently til translucent and slightly browned, about 5-7 mins. Add the garlic and stir a couple more mins, ensuring the garlic doesn't burn.
2. Add the cumin, chili powder, oregano and garlic powder and stir constantly for 1 min. Add the veggie broth and tomatoes, and bring, covered, to a boil. 
3. Reduce heat to a simmer, add pinto beans, corn, lime juice, lime zest and chipotle. Simmer covered for 30-45 mins. 
4. Add the cilantro, salt and pepper to taste, cook for 5 more mins. 
5. Serve immediately, and add diced avocado and tortilla chips to the bowl. 

Kitchen Notes: I'd prefer this to be a heartier soup, so add additional fixin's as desired. I am a fiend for cumin, so that's why there is so much in this dish. I used Food Should Taste Good lime-flavored tortilla chips and I highly recommend using a chip with a lime flavor.

Verdict? As mentioned above, I'd love for this to be a bit heartier, maybe some rice and additional beans. This is a nicely seasoned soup and very warming on a cold day. I think the tortilla chips are fun. I'd also like to try this spooned over polenta rounds.

And, for your viewing pleasure, since I don't have any more pictures of soup, my cat Issa, doing her best impression of a 12-pack: