Ready-To-Use Foods Allow Quick Soup

It’s possible to create home-cooked dishes the “speed-scratch” way by basing your recipes on ready-to-use foods.

Taco soup is a flavorful combination of salsa, canned chicken broth, black beans and corn that can be prepared in minutes. Cubes of sharp cheddar cheese and tortilla chips, broken into bite-size pieces, can be added just before serving.

Taco Soup

From Dairy Management Inc.

2 (13-3/4-ounce) cans ready-to-serve chicken broth

15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

11-1/2-ounce jar thick and chunky medium-hot salsa

11-ounce can Mexican-style corn, drained

8 ounces sharp Cheddar cheese, cut in 1/2-inch cubes (about 1-1/2 cups)

1 cup tortilla chips, broken into bite-size pieces

In a large saucepan, combine chicken broth, black beans, salsa and corn. Simmer, uncovered, to blend flavors, about 5 minutes.

Divide cheese and tortilla chips among four serving bowls; ladle hot soup into bowls. Serve with additional tortilla chips and cheese cubes, if desired.

Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition information per serving (without additional chips and cheese): 451 calories, 21 grams protein, 24 grams fat (48 percent fat calories), 38 grams carbohydrate, 451 milligrams calcium.