Tortilla Soup And Homemade Tortillas

Soup Ingredients:

• Whole roasted or smoked chicken OR 4 cooked chicken breasts, shredded
• 6-8 cups chicken broth which may be made by simmering the chicken bones
• 28 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 jar red salsa OR  20 oz. of canned diced tomatoes with green chilies
• 3 sliced carrots
• 3 sliced celery ribs
• 1/2 onion, diced
  

Optional add-ins:

• Mushrooms
• Corn
• Canned black beans, drained
  

Optional seasonings:

• Paprika 
• Garlic
• Celery seed
• Salt
• Pepper
• Hot sauce
  

Toppings, as desired:

• Chopped fresh cilantro 
• Shredded cheese
• Guacamole or sliced avocado
• Sour cream
• Thinly-sliced hot peppers
• Tortilla chips (or serve with the homemade tortillas below)

Sweet Tortillas

• 5 cups flour
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/3 cup shortening or vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup milk 
• 1 cup warm water

Soup Instructions: 
Combine all soup ingredients in either a crock pot or large soup pot. Season broth to taste. Cook over medium heat until vegetables are soft. If using a crock pot, set to high and cook 4-6 hours, stirring occasionally.

Tortilla Instructions:
Mix dry ingredients well. Add shortening or canola oil and cut into mixture until crumbly. Add liquids while stirring. Knead lightly, then form twelve balls. Pat balls into flat 5-inch circles on brown paper bag or use rolling pin. Fry at low temperature on thick skillet, using the tiniest bit of oil, turning once. Butter immediately and serve warm.  These will be thick and chewy, not pliable.