Healthy Chicken Tortilla Soup - A Zest for Life

Ingredients

• 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup onions, onions and leeks, 1/2" dice
• 1 cup red and yellow peppers, 1/2" dice
• ½ cup carrots, peeled, 1/2" dice
• ½ cup celery, peeled, 1/2" slice
• 1 ear fresh corn, kernels cut off cob
• 2 leaves of kale, cleaned and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced (from 2 large cloves)
• ¾ cup diced tomatoes, strained
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
• ½ teaspoon chipotle in adobe, chopped, more if you like very spicy
• 6 cups chicken broth, preferably homemade (makes a difference)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• 6 tablespoons sharp cheddar cheese, grated thickly
• 3 fresh corn tortillas, cut into thin julienned strips*
• 6 tablespoons fresh parsley, cleaned & chopped
• 3 1/2 pound fresh chicken, pull meat off the bones (see below)