Tortilla Soup

Ingredients

• ½ to 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast diced (optional)

• 4 cups finely diced carrots

• 2 cup finely diced celery

• 1 cup finely chopped green pepper (optional)

• 1 cup finely chopped onion

• 4 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tsp. dried oregano

• ½ tsp. ground cumin

• 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced and seeded

• 8 cups broth or bouillon

• 1 large tomato, seeded and chopped finely

• 4-5 Tbs. of lime juice

• tortilla chips

• grated cheese

Preparation

If using chicken brown in nonstick spray coated saucepan until no longer pink in center. Add  next 8 ingredients and cook over medium heat 5 minutes.  Stir in broth, tomato and lime juice.  Boil.  Reduce heat, simmer covered for 15-20 minutes.  Eat hot soup topped with tortilla chips and cheese.