Easy Weeknight Dinner

We all need a good "go to" meal to pull out of our sleeves when pressed for time.  This is the one I use especially when the tortilla chips in the bag are down to small, broken pieces, this is an incredibly easy but tasty supper - Tortilla Soup.  It's super easy to make, the ingredients are healthy and usually in the pantry.  If I have some shredded cheese and sour cream in the refrigerator, I'm golden. :) 


This recipe has a Tex-Mex flavor and the beauty of it is it can be made fancy or plain depending on how many ingredients are on hand or to personal preferences.  You can play around with the amounts of liquid to your own liking as well (more liquid for thinner soup, less for thicker).


Tortilla Soup
(serves 4)

• 1 can refried beans
• equal amount water or chicken broth
• 1 cup salsa (or as much as you like)
• 2 cups broken tortilla chips
• 1 can of diced green chiles (optional)
• 1 can of corn (optional)
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional)
• a few sprinkles of cumin, red chili powder (optional)
• Garnishes (optional) shredded cheese, sour cream, chopped green onions, fresh tomato, sliced black olives, fresh cilantro, diced onions, diced jalepeno peppers.

Cook and stir all ingredients except chips in a sauce pan until heated through. Place tortilla chips in each person's bowl and pour soup on top. And garnish if desired.
Tip: Do NOT add salt.  The tortilla chips have plenty to season the soup.


Yum.