Azteca Soup

Photo: flickr user SauceSupreme

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon chopped garlic

2 onions chopped

2 celery stalks chopped

1 jalapeno pepper minced

1 teaspoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 can tomatoes - (28 oz) cut and drained,

with juice reserved

1/2 cup corn (preferably fresh)

1 tablespoon sliced basil in thin ribbons, (chiffonade)

4 cups beef or vegetable stock

1 avocado chopped

2 teaspoons lime juice

Nacho chips

Sour cream

Basil shreds

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, saute garlic, onions, jalapeno pepper, and celery in the olive oil for about 5 minutes. Add tomato pieces, chili powder, and cumin, and cook down over medium heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often. Add corn, basil, reserved tomato juice, and stock, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.

When ready to serve, remove soup from heat and stir in the lime juice and avocado. Break several nacho chips into each bowl, ladle in the soup, then top each with a spoonful of sour cream. Toss on a few basil shreds and stick a nacho chip on top. Serve immediately.

Serve hot to 6 people as complete lunch - or as a substantial first course.

Comments: A wonderfully tasty, quick, low calorie, and filling soup - fit for Montezuma after a hard day at the sacrificial altar.