Garden Tortilla Soup

A delectable soup with the flavors of the southwest. The roasted red pepper may seems daunting but it is a very simple and easy task and smells and tastes wonderful. All the flavors come together with the red pepper and the corn, and although this soup serves 8-10, you may find yourself serving less people when you are wanting more for yourself...

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 1  red sweet bell pepper
• 1  tablespoon  vegetable oil
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 6  cloves garlic, minced
• 2  medium zucchini, quartered and diced
• 1 (49 1/2ounce) can chicken broth
• 2  tablespoons mild chili powder
• 2  teaspoons ground cumin
• 2 (14 1/2ounce) cans diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
• 2  tablespoons  chopped green chilies
• 1  teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1  cup frozen sweet corn
• 1⁄2 lime, juice of
• 2  tablespoons  chopped fresh cilantro
• 3  corn tortillas, quartered and sliced into thin strips
• 1  cup  shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
•  tortilla chips (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat broiler and line baking pan with aluminum foil; broil red pepper on all sides until black and charred then place in a bowl under plastic wrap to cool and rest for 15 minutes.
2. Remove charred skin from red pepper; discard core; chop pepper and set aside.
3. In a deep pot heat oil and saute onion and garlic until onion is transparent; add zucchini and cook for 30 seconds more.
4. Add broth, chili powder, cumin, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, chopped green chilies, Worcestershire sauce and roasted red pepper to the pot, bringing to a boil before lowering heat and covering pot.
5. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add black beans, sweet corn, lime juice, cilantro, and tortilla strips and simmer 10 minutes more.
6. Serve garnished with cheese and tortilla chips, if desired.