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**Chicken Tortilla Soup with Charred Corn and Fire-Roasted Tomatoes**
**Ingredients**
* 1 Tbsp vegetable oil
* 1 medium onion, diced
* 2 cloves garlic, minced
* 1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
* 1 tsp ground cumin
* 1 tsp chili powder
* 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
* 1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
* 2 ears fresh corn, husks removed
* 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded (rotisserie or poached)
* 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
* Juice of 1 lime
* Salt and pepper, to taste
* 6–8 corn tortillas, cut into strips
* 2 Tbsp vegetable oil (for tortilla strips)
**Garnishes (optional)**
* Sliced avocado
* Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack
* Chopped cilantro
* Sour cream or crema
* Lime wedges
**Instructions**
1. **Char the corn**
* Heat a dry skillet or grill pan over high heat.
* Add whole ears of corn and turn every 2 minutes until lightly blackened all over (8–10 minutes).
* Let cool, then cut kernels off the cob; set aside.
2. **Sauté aromatics**
* In a large pot over medium heat, warm 1 Tbsp oil.
* Add onion and cook until translucent, 4 minutes.
* Stir in garlic, jalapeño, cumin, and chili powder; cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
3. **Build the soup**
* Pour in chicken broth and fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices).
* Bring to a simmer, then stir in shredded chicken, charred corn, and black beans.
* Simmer uncovered 10 minutes.
* Stir in lime juice and season with salt and pepper.
4. **Make tortilla strips**
* Toss tortilla strips with 2 Tbsp oil and a pinch of salt.
* **To fry:** Heat a skillet over medium-high, fry strips until crisp (1 minute per side), drain on paper towels.
* **To bake:** Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 375 °F for 8–10 minutes, tossing once, until golden.
5. **Serve**
* Ladle soup into bowls.
* Top with tortilla strips and your choice of garnishes: avocado, cheese, cilantro, crema, and lime wedges.
Enjoy the smoky sweetness of charred corn and the bold flavor of fire-roasted tomatoes in every comforting spoonful!
Bonne cuisine ! 👩 🍳
1. Q: What is your favorite dish to cook?
A: My favorite dish to cook is spaghetti with homemade tomato sauce. I enjoy boiling the pasta until it is perfectly soft and then mixing it with a rich sauce made from fresh tomatoes, garlic, onions, and herbs. It is simple, delicious, and reminds me of family dinners.
2. Q: How often do you cook at home?
A: I cook at home almost every day because I like eating fresh and healthy food. Cooking also helps me relax after a long day, and it’s much cheaper than eating at restaurants all the time.
3. Q: Do you prefer baking or frying?
A: I prefer baking because it is healthier and doesn’t require a lot of oil. I also like the smell of baked food filling the kitchen, especially when I am making cakes or bread.
4. Q: What ingredients do you always keep in your kitchen?
A: I always keep basic ingredients like salt, pepper, olive oil, onions, garlic, and flour. These are essential for most recipes, and I can prepare many dishes just by adding vegetables or meat.
5. Q: Have you ever tried cooking a foreign recipe?
A: Yes, I have tried cooking Italian pizza at home. I made the dough from scratch, added tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil, and baked it in the oven. It was a fun experience and very tasty.
6. Q: What is the easiest meal you can prepare?
A: The easiest meal I can prepare is an omelette. I just beat some eggs, add a little salt, pepper, and maybe some cheese or vegetables, and cook it in a pan for a few minutes.
7. Q: Which spices do you use the most?
A: I use cumin, paprika, black pepper, and oregano the most. These spices add a lot of flavor to my dishes, especially when I cook meat, chicken, or soups.
8. Q: Do you follow recipes or cook from memory?
A: I usually cook from memory because I know most of my favorite recipes by heart. Sometimes, I check recipes online when I want to try something new.
9. Q: Have you ever made bread from scratch?
A: Yes, I have made bread at home before. I mixed flour, yeast, salt, and water, kneaded the dough, and let it rise for a few hours before baking it. The smell of fresh bread is amazing.
10. Q: What is the most difficult dish you’ve ever cooked?
A: The most difficult dish I’ve cooked is lasagna. It takes a long time because you have to prepare the pasta, the meat sauce, the cheese sauce, and then layer everything before baking it.
11. Q: Do you prefer sweet or savory dishes?
A: I prefer sweet dishes because I love desserts. Cakes, cookies, and puddings are my favorite, especially anything with chocolate.
12. Q: How do you usually season your food?
A: I usually season my food with salt, black pepper, and a mix of herbs like oregano, thyme, and rosemary. For some dishes, I also add lemon juice or vinegar for extra flavor.
13. Q: What is your favorite dessert to make?
A: My favorite dessert to make is chocolate cake. I enjoy melting the chocolate, mixing it with butter, sugar, and eggs, and baking it until it’s soft and moist.
14. Q: Do you enjoy cooking for guests?
A: Yes, I enjoy cooking for guests very much. It makes me happy to see people enjoying my food, and it’s a great way to spend time together.
15. Q: Have you ever created your own recipe?
A: Yes, I created a special salad recipe with lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, olives, and a dressing made from olive oil, lemon juice, and honey. It’s fresh, sweet, and sour at the same time.