Mexican Corn and Diced Chile Soup with Cilantro Black Bean Salad

Soup inspired by Food Network's Simply Delicioso. Salad inspired by ... well, you'll have to ask my husband what he was inspired by, cause this one is all his.

Difficulty: Super Easy
Speed: Typical Weeknight (soup)
Super Fast (salad)



Mexican Corn and Diced Chile Soup

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans corn
2 cans stewed, diced tomatoes
4 c vegetable broth
1 small can diced chiles
1 onion, diced
minced garlic to taste
oregano to taste
salt and pepper to taste
garlic powder to taste
fresh or dried parsley to taste
soy creamer to taste (optional)
dash of Cholula or other hot sauce
olive oil for sauteeing



1. In blender, blend one can of corn, one can of tomatoes, and 2 c (only half) of the broth and set aside.

2. In medium soup pot, sautee onion and garlic in hot olive oil on low until the onions are soft. Add remaining corn, tomatoes and broth, as well as blender contents. Add chiles, oregano, garlic powder, dried parsley (but NOT fresh parsley, if that's what you're using instead -- add fresh parsley immediately before serving), and dash of hot sauce and simmer for anywhere from 10 - 40 minutes, depending on how concerned you are with consistency, blending of the flavors, and your schedule.

3. (optional) Add a small amount of soy creamer (~1/4 c) to make soup creamier if desired; heat just until creamer is warmed through.

4. Garnish with sour cream, green onions, more diced chiles, diced avocado, and hot sauce and serve with crusty bread and cilantro black bean salad (recipe below).



Serves 8 (serving size: 1 bowlful)



Cilantro Black Bean Salad

INGREDIENTS:

1 can corn
1 can black beans
3/4 c chopped fresh spinach
2 T salsa
1-1/2 T lime juice
1 small can chopped green chiles
garlic salt to taste
hot sauce to taste
chopped cilanto to taste



1. Mix all ingredients and serve as a side dish to any Mexican soup or entree.



Serves 6 (serving size ~ 1/2 c)

NUTRITIONAL INFO (per serving) - MEXICAN CORN AND DICED CHILE SOUP:
123 calories (15 calories from fat)
2.5 g fat
370 mg sodium
2.7 g protein

NUTRITIONAL INFO (per serving) - CILANTRO BLACK BEAN SALAD
174 calories (16 calories from fat)
1.15 g fat
575 mg sodium
7.5 g protein