VIBES: JHENE AIKO “WADING”

VEGETARIAN TORTILLA SOUP

2 tbsp olive oil

1 large onion, diced

4 cloves of garlic roughly chopped

1/2 green pepper, diced

1/2 red pepper, diced

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp chili powder

1 tsp ground coriander

1 tsp smoked paprika

1 tsp fresh ground pepper

1 tsp sea salt (or to taste)

handful of chopped cilantro

1 large fresh tomato, diced

5 cups vegetable broth

1 dried ancho chile, soaked in hot water and then chopped finely

1 cup black beans (either canned, or dried but cooked)

1 cup corn, fresh or frozen

TOPPINGS

2 corn tortillas sliced into thin strips

1 avocado, diced

handful of cilantro chopped

dash of cotija cheese or queso fresco (omit this to keep recipe completely vegan)

squeeze of fresh lime juice

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and onions and sauté for 2 minutes. Add chopped green and red peppers, sauté for another 2-3 minutes and add spices. Mix until combined, add chopped ancho chile, also adding any extra liquid that has collected in the chile from soaking. Add tomatoes and a bit of chopped cilantro and cook for another 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cook until flavor has developed and vegetables have softened- about 45 mins-1 hour on a low simmer. Taste and add/adjust spices. Add black beans and frozen corn and cook for another 10-15 mins.

Meanwhile prepare your toppings. Slice tortillas into strips and place on baking sheet. Heat broiler to high, broil tortilla strips until crispy about 5-10 mins. Remove from broiler and set aside. Slice avocado. Chop cilantro.

Spoon soup into bowls and top with the tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro and (optional cotija cheese.) Squeeze a lime over the soup and serve!