Southwestern Turkey Soup

Soups are quick and easy and create a break in the dull routine of the usual meals. They can be used as first course or main course. Thus ground turkey recipe is also lo-cal and good for you.


                                                
                                                 Southwestern Turkey Soup


1# ground turkey
1/4 cup chopped onion
2 cloves minced garlic
1 seeded, minced jalapeno
1 tsp minced ancho chili with adobo sauce (Caution: Hot!)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1cup diced carrots
1/4 cup diced red or green bell peppers
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (retain a few for garnish)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup cooked and drained black beans
1/4 tsp dried thyme
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (retain half for garnish)
1 cup crispy tortilla strips (retain some for garnish)
salt/pepper

In a heated stew pot, add oil, and onions  and saute until translucent. Add garlic for 1 minute. Break up ground turkey and add to pot, stirring to break up large clumps. Saute until almost cooked. Add carrots, bell peppers, jalapenos, and ancho chilis. Stir in tomato paste. Add broth, black beans, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Uncover, add tomatoes, cilantro, and tortilla strips, retaining part of each ingredient for garnish.

Serve and garnish.  Quick, easy, and delicious.