Tortilla Soup

Light And Hearty?

Last week after returning from a road trip my wife and I decided to dine out and relax over a glass of wine at our favorite Pizzeria.   I wasn’t in the mood for an extravagant meal. I wanted to relax and regroup for the weekend.  We normally order a pizza, and a side salad.  Tonight, I wasn’t in the mood for any lettuce because of the recall on television all week.  I decide to get outside my comfort zone and order a cup of tortilla soup.

I have never tried tortilla soup in a restaurant before.  I exposed my male chauvinistic gene because women always order it, and I figure it to have little flavor or calories. I order the heavier soups and larger salads that I should avoid.  It was the best decision both in flavor and enjoyment for that evening.  Later that night I went to bed thinking, “Why have I never made this before?”  It’s probably because I never ate it before and now I’m hooked. The following day I stopped at Wal-Mart and found everything I needed to prepare my version.

          1  Rotisserie chicken
          2  Large cans whole kernel corn
          1  Large can diced tomatoes
          1  Small can sliced carrots
          1  16oz bag frozen chopped onion and bell peppers
          6  Chicken bouillon cubs.
         ¼  Cup Olive Oil
          8  oz Cheddar Cheese
          8  oz Sour cream
          1 Bag tortilla chips


I began with a deep sauce pot and added oil, onions, peppers and sauté.  I added corn, diced tomatoes, and sliced carrots I cut in half moon shape and sauté.  I added bouillon cubs and water to make the consistency of a soup (6 cups). Then, I pulled apart rotisserie chicken into small spoon size pieces to fold into my soup.  Simmer for 45 minutes.  This was too simple and I thought I might be throwing it out.  I served the soup into a large rimmed bowl, added tortilla chips, a spoon of sour cream, topped with shredded cheddar cheese and chives. It was the lightest soup I have eaten and as rich as any gumbo I have ever made. 

I will now have a standard to judge all tortilla soups in the future.   I must confess “thick & creamy” isn’t always better, and my feminine side has been enlightened.


Dean O’s South                             YOU RATE               4

My Recipe Tortilla Soup                I RATE                                5


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