Chicken Tortilla Soup

(Thanks to Beth Lattime)

For a 3 quart crock pot
1.5 lb chicken, cooked and shredded (I usually cook 3 boneless, skinless breasts in the oven for 40 mins. and then throw them in the crock pot…it’ll shred on its own after awhile).
1 10 oz can of enchilada sauce (in the Mexican food section)
1 14oz can of diced tomatoes (plain or garlic is good)
1 4oz can of green chilies (in the Mexican food section)
1 Medium onion, chopped
2 Cloves of minced garlic
2 14 oz can of chicken broth
½ teaspoon of cumin
1 teaspoon of chili powder
1 teaspoon of salt
¼ teaspoon of black pepper
1 10 oz bag of frozen white corn
1 tablespoon of cilantro
Sprinkle oregano, parsley and red pepper to taste.

Throw everything in the crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Good to freeze for later.

Tips for toppings:
Shredded parmesan or cheddar, sour cream, diced green onion. Brush veggie oil on tortilla chips and bake them in the oven for 5 mins. So they don’t get soggy in the soup! I like Fresh Gourmet Tortilla Strips, Santa Fe Style (by the croutons).

If you love Chipotle’s barbacoa burritos try this recipe to make your own spicy shredded beef that will blow away Chipotle.

1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 boneless beef chuck shoulder 1.5 pounds
1 cup salsa

1. Combine cumin, cilantro, chili powder, salt and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
2. Rub the combined spices all over the beef.
3. Cover the bottom of the crock pot with salsa.
4. Place beef in the crock pot.
5. Cover beef with the rest of the salsa.
6. Cook on the low setting for 6 to 8 hours.
7. If you check the beef after 2 or 3 hours it will appear fully cooked. Leave the beef cooking for the rest of the time, it will become tender and fall apart when you separate it with a fork.
8. Stir together the shredded beef with the juices and salsa it has been cooking in.

Ingredients
¾ white onion
1 Bulb garlic (not kidding, 1 bulb), smashed
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 8oz. Can diced tomatoes with sweet onions
1 32oz. Can crushed tomatoes
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp salt
Handful of fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a food processor until thin. This salsa is also a party food… let it rockout in fridge ‘til morning, then eat with tortilla chips.

Ingredients
1 lb lean ground beef
6 oz sour cream
½ cup salsa
4 oz cream cheese
½ green bell pepper, diced
1 tomato, diced
½ white onion, diced
1 package pre-made pizza dough
8 oz of shredded sharp cheddar or shredded Mexican mix
Taco seasoning to taste

Cooking Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 400°. Brown ground beef, adding taco seasoning to taste. Roll dough into flat circle. Mix sour cream, salsa and cream cheese, and spread over dough. When beef is done, sprinkle on dough. Sprinkle onion, pepper, tomato and cheese evenly over dough. Cook 20 mins.

Ingredients
¾ white onion
1 Jalapeno pepper
1 Bulb garlic (not kidding, 1 bulb) smashed
2 green peppers
1 8oz. Can diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 32oz. Can crushed tomatoes
1 tbsp brown sugar
3 tbsp cumin
2 tbsp salt
Handful of fresh cilantro

Cooking Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a food processor until thin. This salsa is better when the ingredients have a chance to mingle and chill hasta manana. Eat with tortilla chips.