Fiesta Minestrone Soup: A Spicy Twist with Dried Chili Pods

Ingredients

• 2 Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Dried Ancho Chilies, stems and seeds removed
• 1-2 Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Chili de Arbol*, stems and seeds removed *If you want your soup a little spicier, use 2 of the Chili de Arbol.
• ½ cup diced onion, divided
• 6 cloves garlic, divided
• 1½ cups water
• ½ tsp. salt
• 2 Tbsp. oil or bacon drippings
• 1 cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced carrot
• 2 medium zucchini, diced
• ½ tsp. Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Ground Comino
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 8 oz. can tomato sauce
• 1 15 oz. can cannellini beans
• 1 15 oz. can hominy
• 2 tsp. Bolner’s Fiesta Brand Mexican Oregano
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ cup small pasta (small shells or ditalini)
• Garnish: Sliced avocado, shredded jack cheese, sour cream, diced purple onion, lime wedges