An Oscar Party Recipe for South-of-the-Border Tortilla
Soup (Recipe Redux February Challenge)

Every year when the Oscars roll around, we stay up late to hear the results, but then we wonder, “Why on Earth did we stay up so late? We haven’t seen any of the movies!” This year is no exception … with the exception of Lincoln. I prefer watching my movies from the comfort of my own home, and the movies I often gravitate to are the ones with a foodie theme. Over the years, some of my faves have been Babette’s Feast, Big Night, Eat Drink Man Woman, Food Inc., and my ALL-TIME favorite … Tortilla Soup.

Last year, 39 million people watched the Oscars; that’s a lot of parties! In honor of Oscar night, this month’s Recipe Redux cooking challenge theme was to create a healthy recipe inspired by a favorite food scene or featured dish from any movie. Once I heard about the challenge, Tortilla Soup came immediately to mind … and so did this bean-filled recipe for South-of-the-Border Tortilla Soup, adapted from our second cookbook, No Whine with Dinner.

I had so much fun taking photos of this colorful and nutrient-rich soup!

I grew up in a family of three girls — I’m the “pickle in the middle” — so maybe that’s why I loved Tortilla Soup so much. It’s about a Mexican-American family living in California. The dad is a widower, and his three grown daughters still live under his roof. The dad is a chef, and his elaborate, home-cooked meals always bring the family together. The movie is filled with all sorts of hilarious happenings (which often unfold at the dinner table), though some of the scenes are a bit spicy. Chefs Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger (AKA Too Hot Tamales) worked on the movie set preparing and styling the food.

I made some tweaks to our original recipe. Instead of using a 15-ounce can of tomato sauce, I used a 15-ounce can of super-flavorful Muir Glen Organic 2012 Reserve Fire Roasted Petite Diced Tomatoes. I pureed the tomatoes before adding because my boys don’t like lumps. I added a few pinches of chipotle chili powder, and for the toppings, I tossed in some leftover roasted chicken.

South-of-the-Border Tortilla Soup

Makes 6 Servings

This recipe is adapted from No Whine with Dinner: 150 Healthy, Kid-Tested Recipes From the Meal Makeover Moms. It calls for making your own corn tortilla chips. But you could certainly use your favorite store-bought chips instead. I love this recipe because it’s perfect for cozy family dinners and entertaining.

• 2 tablespoons expeller pressed canola oil, divided
• 1 small onion, cut into ¼-inch dice (about 1 cup)
• 2 large cloves garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• One 32-ounce carton all-natural chicken broth (4 cups)
• One 15-ounce can fire roasted petite diced tomatoes (or tomato sauce), pureed as desired
• One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels, thawed
• Ten 6-inch corn tortillas, sliced in half and then sliced into ¼-inch-wide strips
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 1 tablespoon cold water
• Optional toppings: Shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack or Mexican blend cheese, diced avocado, diced roasted chicken, chopped fresh cilantro, reduced-fat sour cream, lime wedges

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large Dutch oven or saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, about 7 minutes.  Add the garlic, cumin, and chili powder and cook an additional 1 minute.

2. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, black beans, and corn. Cover, raise the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the flavors meld, about 10 minutes.

3. Meanwhile, heat the oven to 400°F.  Place the corn tortilla strips in a large bowl and toss with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil until well coated.  Place on a baking sheet and cook until golden and crispy, stirring halfway through to ensure even cooking, 10 to 15 minutes.

4. To add more body to the soup, whisk together the cornstarch and water in a small bowl (this is called a slurry). Bring the soup back up to a boil, stir in the slurry, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 3 minutes.

5. Serve in individual bowls, top with the tortilla chips and the optional toppings as desired.

Nutrition Information per Serving (1 generous cup): 210 calories, 6g fat (0g saturated, 0.4g omega-3), 630mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate, 6g fiber, 7g protein, 10% vitamin A, 10% vitamin C, 10% iron

Print Recipe

I used my Diptic app to merge my two photos together. Which photo do you like better? The one on the left features a flow blue plate that I bought at a local antique shop. The picture on the right showcases a bowl that was handed down from my great grandmother, Katie London. (And yes, she emigrated to the U.S. from the U.K.)

Read on for all of the other amazing and nutritious Oscar party recipes from my fellow Recipe Redux dietitian bloggers:
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