Mexican Chicken Soup with Ancho Chiles

Ingredients

2-3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed

1 quart low-sodium chicken broth

2 carrots, chopped

1 clove garlic, mashed into a paste

1 (15-oz) can chopped tomatoes, with their liquid

1 (11-oz) can Mexicorn, drained

1/2 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into small strips

Salt and pepper to taste

Chopped cilantro (optional)

Crumbled feta or grated Monterey Jack cheese (optional)

Baked Tortilla chips (optional)

Diced avocados (optional)

Lime wedges (optional)

Put chiles into a medium heatproof bowl, cover with boiling water and set aside to let soak until softened, about 10 minutes. Transfer chiles and about 1/2 cup of their soaking liquid to a blender and purée, adding more of the chiles' soaking liquid, if needed, to make a smooth, thin paste. Set aside. Put broth into a large pot and bring to boil. Add carrots, garlic, tomatoes, corn, and 2-3 tablespoons of the reserved chile purée and simmer until carrots are almost tender, 15-20 min. (Reserve leftover chile purée for another use. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week or the freezer for up to 2 months.) Add chicken and simmer over low heat until just until cooked through. Remove soup from heat, season with salt and pepper and serve garnished with cilantro, cheese, tortilla chips, avocados and lime wedges.

Nutrition

Per serving (about 15oz/426g-wt.): 170 calories (35 from fat), 4g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 30mg cholesterol, 710mg sodium, 16g total carbohydrate (5g dietary fiber, 4g sugar), 19g protein.

Here's a soup that can be put together quickly, is comforting, warm and spicy, but contains very little fat. It's also fun to eat. Serve the soup family-style in a large tureen and arrange the garnishes around the table in colorful bowls for everyone to dress up their soup. Easily double or triple this recipe to feed a larger crowd.