Tortilla soup with tomatoes and smoked turkey - bon appet

6 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
tablespoonOlive oil
cupChopped onion
1tablespoonPlus 2 t minced garlic
1can(28-oz) Italian plum tomatoes, drained, chopped
teaspoonDried oregano
teaspoonGround cumin
¼teaspoonDried crushed red pepper
6cupsCanned vegetable broth
1cupThinly sliced carrots
½cupCubed red bell pepper
½cupCubed yellow bell pepper
½cupCubed celery
cupThinly sliced zucchini
¾poundsThinly sliced smoked turkey breast, cut into matchstick-size strips
Nonstick vegetable oil spray
7Corn tortillas (6-inch diameter), cut into 1/4 inch-wide strips
½cupPacked fresh cilantro leaves
1tablespoonGrated lemon peel
1cupGrated Monterey Jack cheese
¾cupShelled sunflower seeds
1Lemon, cut into 6 wedges

Directions

Heat oil in heavy large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; saute until tender, about 4 minutes. Add 1 T garlic; saute 1 minute.

Stir in tomatoes, oregano, cumin and dried red pepper. Simmer until thick, stirring often, about 10 minutes. Puree mixture in processor.

Set aside.

Pour broth into Dutch oven; bring to simmer over medium heat. Add car- rots, bell peppers and celery; cook until tender, about 6 minutes. Add zucchini; cook 3 minutes. Add tomato mixture and turkey. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover, chill.) Preheat oven to 350'F. Line large baking sheet with foil. Spray foil with vegetable oil spray. Arrange tortilla strips on prepared sheet.

Bake until crisp and golden, turning once, about 18 minutes.

Combine cilantro, lemon peel and 2 t minced garlic in bowl. (Tortilla strips and cilantro mixture can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover separately and let stand at room temperature.) Bring soup to simmer. Serve with tortilla strips, cilantro mixture, cheese, sunflower seeds and lemon as garnishes.

Bon Appetit/October/94 Scanned & edited by Di Pahl & <gg>