Eat Well: Eat it, SOPA (de tortilla)!

As by now I'm sure you're well aware, many websites went dark today in protest of SOPA/PIPA. I have no idea how to go dark SO instead I waited until nightfall (dark) to post this recipe for sopa... de tortilla. Because puns are my revolt! For more information on the SOPA strike go here. If you haven't already, you can sign google's petition, here and/or write your congressperson, here.

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The following post was written by my mom, WWW who is as pro sopa (de tortilla) as she is anti SOPA (de stupido). Thanks, mom!

I am LOVING experimenting with my Vitamix. Of course it makes amazing smoothies and you can increase vitamin intake by sneaking kale, spinach or other greens into fruit smoothies. Or, add more protein via nuts and seeds. My favorite nut smoothie so far is 2 handfuls of almonds, 1 banana, and 4 dates blended with unsweetened almond milk.

This is a meal in itself. The Vitamix is also great for making veggie drinks. I can’t believe that a carrot blended in the Vitamix becomes liquid. No need for a juicer and that’s great because they are such a pain to clean.

The Vitamix comes with a cookbook, but I have heard from several sources that it isn’t the greatest. I tried the tortilla soup and it was kind of bland, so I came up with my own recipe. It got rave reviews from Larry. Make sure you use a good quality vegetable stock to start with. My favorite is Imagine Vegetable Cooking Stock. (Not their vegetable broth. There is a BIG difference). Of course if you have time, homemade stock is the best. You can make a lot of it and then freeze it to use for the base of your soups.

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup (Sopa de Tortilla)

4 cups good quality vegetable broth, homemade or bought

3 ripe tomatoes, halved (or ½ can drained whole tomatoes)

1 cup hominy

1 large carrot, halved

1 stalk celery, halved

1 slice onion

1 garlic clove

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and halved

1 slice cabbage

3 teaspoons taco seasoning

1 teaspoon cumin

1 handful of cilantro leaves

½ can black beans

1. Place all ingredients except cilantro and black beans in the Vitamix in order listed and secure lid.

Select variable 1. Turn machine on and quickly increase speed to variable 10, and then to high. Blend for 5-6 minutes or until heavy steam escapes from the vented lid.

Add cilantro and black beans and mix on variable 2 for about 10 seconds.

Pour mixture into a saucepan and add: 1 can drained organic corn.

Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes:

Adjust seasoning and add salt and pepper to taste. Add: The juice of 1 lime

Pour hot soup into bowls. Add:

-Chopped avocado
-Crushed good quality tortilla chips

(Serves 3-4)

Love,

WWW