A fun meal...AZTEC SOUP

Try this one for a gathering or whatever. Sorry I didn't get this out for the superbowl. But it's not to late to try this anytime.

Put together the base as follows: Dice up two onions and saute in 2 tbs. olive oil. Add 6 crushed garlic cloves, 1 tsp. oregano, 1 tbs. basil, 1 tbs. cumin, 1 tsp. pepper, salt to taste, 4 cups water, 6 cups chicken broth, 3 bay leaves and cooked chicken, either canned (3 cups) or your owned cooked and deboned from a 2 lb. chicken. Add 6 oz. tomato paste, 1 cup sliced celery, 1 cup sliced zuccini and 1 large carrot sliced. Now I know this sounds like a lot, but yes, it will feed a lot. You can cut it down to size for smaller amounts.

Now cook this base up for about 45 minutes. Next I fry up a couple of russet potatoes that have been diced, and then I fry up a small pack of corn tortilla strips. Place those in seperate bowls along with some bowls of chopped cilantro, diced avacados, shredded jack cheese and a bigger bowl of fresh baby spinach leaves. Set these bowls on the table and let your guest help themselves to whatever they like, and then ladle the soup base over. Top with the fried tortilla strips. If you like a little more spice you can add a scant 1/2 tsp. of cayenne to the soup base, or sliced fresh jalapenos! It's delicious and a fun way to entertain. The base can be made up the day before and reheated.