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Food

Smokey Turkey Black Bean Soup

I have made this soup for the last 4 or 5 years.  The original recipe is from someone on food network, I can’t remember exactly who it was. I added the smokey chipotle paprika, garlic and red pepper flakes. I’ll be sure to update this post with a picture when I make it this year.

Ingredients

2 cup shredded or diced baked turkey (white meat or dark meat – anything goes)
1 cup finely diced yellow or white onion
1.5 cups medium-diced fresh plum tomato
1 cup unsalted canned or frozen corn
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained (if you use unsalted beans, no need to rinse)
2 cloves garlic, diced
1.5  tablespoons chili powder
.5  teaspoon red pepper flakes (Optional. I am Jamaican, so, I like everything with a little kick!)
1 tablespoon smoky chipotle paprika (If you have smokey paprika that also works.)
2 tablespoons tomato paste (I really hope someone comes up with a sachet of tomato paste. Who ever uses a whole can?)
2 quart sodium free or low sodium vegetable stock
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
9 cilantro sprigs
kosher salt (optional)
4 6 inch flour or corn tortillas (optional)
2 limes cut in wedges (optional)
2 cups vegetable oil (optional)

Directions

In a large soup pot,  heat two tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until the onion turns a bit translucent (about 4-5 minutes)  Add chili powder, smoky paprika and stir for about 15 seconds.  And tomato past and red pepper flakes and stir for another 15 seconds. Add the vegetable stock and cilantro sprigs, stir and bring to a boil.   Add corn, black beans and tomatoes and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add turkey and season (and Kosher salt to taste, if necessary) Simmer for another 10-15 minutes.  Serve with lime wedge and tortilla chips (instructions for chips below)

Place tortillas on a cutting board and slice into 1/4 inch strips.  Heat two cups of oil on medium high heat.  Add 7-10 strips at a time to the oil.  Fry until crispy and lightly golden.  Remove chips and place on paper towel to remove excess oil.

Tomato Tea

Yesterday I felt like I was coming down with a cold/flu or something. As I have no insurance I thought it best that I try to nip it in the bud. I was a bit congested and my eyes were running; I just knew that in a day or so it would be bad. I loaded up on fluids and decided to bust out the tomato tea recipe:

2 cups low sodium tomato juice ( I used V8)
4 cloves of garlic
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Cayenne pepper to taste ( mine was extra spicy)
Bring to a slow boil over medium heat. Sip slowly and deliberately, inhaling all the goodness!
I had about a cup and even ate a couple of the garlic cloves. Before I was even done drinking it, I felt my nose unclog. I finished it off and decided to go to bed.
When I woke up I was markedly better but still feeling a little off. I heated up the other cup of tea and had it with breakfast. By mid afternoon I was great. I don’t know if it was the tea or it was my mind willing my body not to get sick. I can share the news of the tea but my mind is off limits!