thrown together taco soup.

Okay whoa. This soup is so good. And so unexpected because I really just threw it together with things I had because my other plan for dinner wasn't really working out. It was Colorado's first COLD day and it was rainy so...soup!

1 medium onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
3 tomatoes, diced (can sub can of diced tomatoes)
1 can black beans, with juice
1 can corn, with juice
2 tblspoons tomato paste
1 cup veg or chicken broth or stock
1 stalk green onion, finely sliced
cilantro
1/2 tblspoon cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 teaspoon ground red pepper or chili powder
1/2 tablspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
(all spices are to taste)

shredded chicken (optional)
rice (optional)
sour cream (optional)
shredded cheese (optional)

In saucepan, saute onion, pepper, and tomatoes together for 2-3 minutes with a little olive oil. Add tomato paste, stir together. Add black beans and corn INCLUDING juice. Mix it all together and simmer for 2 minutes. Add green onion and broth/stock. Add spices and bring to a boil before lowering to low and letting simmer.

If you want to keep this vegetarian--serve! If you want to add a little meat, cook chicken breast by baking or boiling and then shred and add while it is simmering. I served my soup over a small scoop of rice.

Serve with a pinch of shredded cheese and dollop of sour cream. You can also sprinkle broken tortilla chips on top, too!

Guys, this is so good. And great as leftovers.