The Next Best Thing to Q'doba

(7)  If you were to ask me:  Where is your favorite place to eat?  I'd tell you "Q'doba Mexican Grill."  My mouth starts watering when I start thinking about their Mexican Gumbo.  I first experienced Mexican Gumbo with my girlfriends Mary & Kendra, a couple years ago and realized quickly that we had just discovered something AMAZING.  It's filling, it's flavorful, it's delicious.  The first Q'doba opened in Denver, and now they have over 500 restaurants.  But since the closest Q'doba for us is 30 miles away, I found a way to bring Q'doba's Mexican Gumbo to our home.  I found a recipe that is just as good as the real thing, and I made it for supper last night.  Here's the recipe I used. 

Chicken Tortilla Soup
6 c. Chicken Stock (1 added 2 packets of Swanson's Flavor Boost Concentrated Broth)
2 c. Cooked Chicken, shredded
1/2 Onion, chopped
1/2 c. Green Pepper, choppped
1/2 c. Red Pepper, chopped
1/2 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin (or more)
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder
1 Bay Leaf
3 TB Lime Juice
Salt & Pepper to taste
1 can Black Beans, drained
1 can Corn, drained (or Creamed Corn)
1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chilis (we used Mild)
1 sm can Tomato Paste
3-4 TB Fresh Cilantro
3 c. cooked white rice
Garnish:  Monterey Jack Cheese, Sour Cream, Guacamole, Tortilla strips

Saute onion and peppers in 1-2 TB olive oil.  Add salt & pepper.  In a big pot, combine all ingredients, including sauted veggies.  Let simmer 30 minutes.  Place 1/3-1/2 cup rice in bottom of bowl, and ladel the soup over the top of your rice.  Garnish with shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and coarsely crushed tortilla chips (or tortilla strips). 

We actually ate a late supper last night, because Jenica had basketball practice until 6:15 and then youth group at 6:30, and I always like to eat as a family.  So we waited for Jenica to get home.  This was the week that Jenica's youth group does "Project Serve".  Their small groups go out into our community and help people (usually the elderly) with the things around their home that they need help with.  Last month, Jenica's small group did some light cleaning inside a home.  Last night they raked leaves outside of a home.  I love that our church youth group does this on a regular basis.  It encourages a heart of serving others in a world that often does the opposite.