Color Your Basket with Quick and Easy Tortilla Soup

Well it is officially 2016! The Dietitians at Market Street have been working very hard preparing for 2016 and we are very happy to introduce “Color your Basket!” This year, we are going to be focusing on all the different colorful foods and the health benefits associated with each color. It’s going to be a fun year and we are so excited to start January off with the color green!

Did you know that green fruits and vegetables are high in Vitamin A, C, and K? Well the nutritional value doesn’t stop there, you also get disease fighting phytochemicals specific to the green color of the food. Well, if this has convinced you to eat more green fruits and vegetables, then did you also know that eating green produce can also help with weight management? These foods are lower in calorie and higher in fiber which promotes a feeling of fullness.

If you are looking for the most healthful varieties, we recommend picking lettuce that has a vibrant green color as well as the looseleaf varieties such as Bibb, arugula, watercress, or romaine lettuce. Research shows that these tend to be higher in phytonutrients, or disease fighting properties, and are nutritionally better for you. Also did you know that if you tear your lettuce and store in a sealed bag with small holes poked in it you can increase the phytonutrient content of your lettuce?

Thankfully, DOLE® has made things much easier for us with their Chopped Salad Kits. This tortilla soup is delicious, but also provides you with important green vegetables.

The cabbage, kale, romaine lettuce and DOLE® Green Onions add hearty, filling texture. Even further, the included dressing gives the soup a yummy creaminess and a smoky, tangy flavor.For an extra boost of creaminess, you could even add some diced Haas avocado for a home-run of green for dinner tonight!

 Quick and easy Tortilla soup with Dole chopped salad

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons olive oil

½ cup red onion, chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 pkg. Dole©  All Natural Chipotle and Cheddar Salad Kit

1 cup cooked corn kernels

1 cup cooked black beans

1 cup cooked chicken, chopped

1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained

6 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 lime, juices, plus additional wedges for garnish

salt and pepper, to taste

sour cream, as needed

chopped cilantro, as needed

Instructions

1) Heat oil in large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for 2 minutes. Add cumin and continue to cook for an additional 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add salad greens from kit to pot and cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes or until salad is wilted

2) Add corn, beans, chicken, tomatoes and chicken broth to the pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 10 minutes. Add dressing packet and lime juice; season with salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and garnish with sour cream, cilantro, tortilla strips, cheese and lime wedges.