Tortilla Soup in the blender

While we haven't officially started the vegan challenge, I have been trying to make better choices with my eating. I haven't been shopping or made up a meal plan yet, so I used what I had already in the house for tonight's dinner.

If you have a VitaMix or BlendTec, this really couldn't be easier. You can also do this in a pot & use an immersion blender, or dice everything, don't blend at all & have a chunky soup.  It's very versatile.

I used the VitaMix Tortilla Soup recipe on their site as a guide. 

If you have the VitaMix, it will heat it up in the blender. I added mine to a pan on the stove to make it a little warmer.  You can also omit the tortilla chips blended in to make it healthier, I like the flavor & body they give it. I also top mine with them when I eat it-I like the crunch.  Their recipe has other veggies in it which I would add if I had them on hand. I would think you can add pretty much anything as long as it doesn't have a strong flavor. 

Ingredients: 

(makes about 10 cups)

• Canned Diced Tomatoes, 2 cans, not drained
• Celery, raw, 2 stalk, small (5" long)
• Onions, raw, 1 slice, thin 
• Carrots, raw, 1 small (5-1/2" long)
• Roasted Red Peppers, 0.5 cup
• Vegetable Broth, 5 cups
• Yellow Sweet Corn, Frozen, 1.5 cup kernels-add after blending
• Black Beans, (canned) 2 cup -add after blending
• Tortilla Chips, crushed, 2 oz (blended into the soup)
• To taste: Cumin, SHS, Garlic Powder, Paprika

Directions:

Add all ingredients to the blender & blend for 6-7 minutes on high. Stir in beans & corn after blending. Enjoy! 

And in case you're interested (I know I am), here are the nutrition stats:

 Nutrition Facts

Servings Per Recipe: 10

Serving Size: 1 serving 1 Cup Per Serving

• Calories112.4
• Total Fat1.9 g
• Saturated Fat0.3 g
• Polyunsaturated Fat0.3 g
• Monounsaturated Fat0.9 g
• Cholesterol0.0 mg
• Sodium679.2 mg
• Potassium374.1 mg
• Total Carbohydrate22.4 g
• Dietary Fiber4.1 g
• Sugars3.6 g
• Protein4.5 g

• Vitamin A21.4 %
• Vitamin B-120.0 %
• Vitamin B-65.3 %
• Vitamin C17.6 %
• Vitamin D0.0 %
• Vitamin E1.2 %
• Calcium5.1 %
• Copper2.5 %
• Folate3.9 %
• Iron10.8 %
• Magnesium4.5 %
• Manganese5.1 %
• Niacin4.1 %
• Pantothenic Acid2.0 %
• Phosphorus4.3 %
• Riboflavin3.2 %
• Selenium0.9 %
• Thiamin3.5 %
• Zinc2.2 %

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.