Very Hearty Corn Chowder

Adapted from a recipe in "The One Dish Vegetarian" by Maria Robbins, page 26-27. I changed it up a bit.

1 TBSP unsalted butter
1 TBSP olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 carrots, diced
3 celery ribs, diced
1 red bell pepper, ribbed, seeded and finely chopped
3 jalapeno peppers, ribbed, seeded and finely chopped (I left those out)
8 garlic cloves, finely minced
1/4 cup finely minced fresh parsley
1 TBSP fresh oregano
2 tsp. fresh thyme, or 1 tsp. dried
2 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. cayenne
6 cups vegetable broth or water
5 potatoes, peeled and diced
2 yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
8-10 corn tortillas, cut into fine julienne
2 cups fresh or frozen corn kernels
1 4 oz. can mild green chilies, drained and finely chopped
1 to 2 cups soy milk or low fat milk
1 tsp. salt, or to taste
Pepper, to taste

Garnish
2 limes, quartered
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro

1. Heat the butter and olive oil in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring frequently, for 10 minutes, until the onions begin to color. Add the carrots, celery, peppers, garlic, parsley, oregano, thyme, paprika, and cayenne. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. Add the broth or water, potatoes, yams and tortillas. Cook, uncovered, over low heat, at a gentle simmer for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are just cooked.

3. Add the corn kernels, green chilies, and some soy or regular milk if the soup looks too thick. It should be a consistency you like. Cook 5 minutes longer and remove from heat. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

4. Serve in large soup bowls and pass the limes and cilantro for garnishing.

While I was making this I was a bit skeptical--until I put the tortillas in and watched it thicken right up. The tortillas are what thicken it! And me gusta mucho tortillas de maiz. (I LOVE CORN TORTILLAS!!) The soup turned out great, kind of sweet, kind of spicy--and I am still full. My kids? Well, they don't like much of anything, so don't take the fact that they called it "disgusting" and "the worst thing on the planet" to heart. I certainly didn't.