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Slow Cooker Meatless Tortilla Soup

January 22, 2010 · by · 11 Comments

I love tortilla soup and it’s hard to find a good vegetarian version when you’re out. So this is just another excuse to stay in and save some more money. Serve it with a salad topped with black beans, green chilies, and salsa to make a complete meal.

Slow Cooker Meatless Tortilla Soup (*gluten-free)

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 – 8  hours

  • 1 Tb olive oil
  • 1 medium onions, minced
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 28 oz. organic tomatoes (diced, crushed, or whole)
  • 1/4 cup tomato paste
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 lime, juiced
  • 1 Tb cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 avocado, chopped
  • 1/4 cup tequila

The night before: Chop onions and mince the garlic. How easy is that for prep work? Optional: Saute in olive oil then store in fridge until tomorrow.

In the morning: Add everything but the avocado and tequila. Cook on low for 6 – 8 hours. About a half hour or so before serving, stir in lime juice, tequila, and adjust . Puree with an immersion blender.

Chop avocado and toss with extra lime juice and a little chili powder.

Serve topped with fresh cilantro, avocado, and strips of *baked tortilla strips or *crushed chips.

* Make sure to get gluten-free tortillas or chips if you have a gluten allergy!

Filed Under: Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Slow Cooker Citrus Black Bean Soup

January 16, 2010 · by · Leave a Comment

This soup is a great start to a dinner party. I don’t know about you, but before slow cooking I used to spend too much time in the kitchen at my parties. Using my slow cookers means I can hang out with my friends more. Now I even have enough slow cookers to make all the dishes for a dinner party!

Keep an eye out at thrift stores and yard sales to collect a few of your own. I got a Crockpot trio for my birthday this year and it’s awesome. If you live in a small apartment though,  you might want to skip it. It’s pretty huge and a pain to store.

Slow Cooker Citrus Black Bean Soup

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 8  hours

  • 1 lb dried black beans
  • 1-15 oz canned fire roasted diced tomatoes
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 Tb. Jerk Seasoning
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1 tsp chipotle powder
  • 1 Tb. Liquid Smoke
  • 1 tsp garlic Tabasco (garlic Tabasco is less hot than regular)
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 orange, juiced
  • 1 Tb fresh cilantro, chopped

The night before: Put the dried beans in the slow cooker and add water until it’s about 3 or 4 inches above the beans. Cook on high overnight.

In the morning:  Turn the slow cooker to low. If the beans are too watery remove some of the liquid. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook on low for about 8 hours. Taste before serving and adjust spices as needed. Puree or not depending on your preference.

Top with more fresh cilantro and a tsp. of salsa.

Filed Under: Cooking Time 8 hours, Gluten-free, Soups, Vegan, Vegetarian · Tagged: , , , , , , , , , ,