Busy day? Save yourself some time and effort by skipping the step for frying the corn tortillas strips and instead crumble purchased tortilla chips atop this easy southwestern soup.

Simple Tortilla Soup

1/3 cup water
1 tomato, seeded and chopped
1 onion, chopped
3 cups chicken broth
1 cup water
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 teaspoon dried cilantro
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
8 flour tortillas, sliced
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a blender, mix water, chopped tomato, and chopped onion until smooth.
2. In a large saucepan add chicken broth, water, chopped garlic cloves, cilantro, salt, pepper, and the tomato/onion mixture, and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
3. In a heavy skillet, fry flour tortillas sliced into strips in hot oil until crisp; drain. Serve the soup topped with shredded cheddar cheese and the fried tortillas.

Makes 4 servings.