Conscious Food Choices

Pura Vida Tortilla Soup (Raw)

“Pura Vida” literally means “Pure” and “Life”, and it is a term used loosely in Costa Rica as a greeting or farewell  – meaning things are cool, and that life is good, in balance…

This recipe was based on Ani Phyo’s Tortilla Soup Recipe in her book, Ani’s Raw Food Essentials, but I think Tracy Morrisette, the chef at the Goddess Garden, brilliantly improved it with the addition of a little nutritional yeast and chili powder. Not to mention some utterly addictive deep fried fresh tortilla strips covered in her nacho cheese-flavored spice mix! Tracy made this soup for us on the first retreat here in Costa Rica and it blew my mind: an utterly virtuous and creamy raw soup with a handful of wickedly delicious crunchiness on top. Pura Vida!

Serve this gently warmed up for a cold winter day, or at room temperature on a hot one.

Pura Vida Tortilla Soup (Raw) – Serves 6

• 4 1/2 cups tomatoes, chopped
• 1/4 small red onion, chopped
• 3/4 cups olive oil
• 2 t salt
• 1 ½ t garlic
• 1/2 fresh jalapeno (or to taste)
• 1 t cumin
• 1 t ancho chili powder
• 1 t dried oregano
• 1 T nutritional yeast
• 2 sundried tomato halves, soaked
• 3 cups water (use soak water from tomatoes)

Fried Tortilla Strips

• 6 corn tortillas, cut into half inch strips
• 2 T nutritional yeast
• 1/2 t salt
• 1/4 t onion powder
• 1/4 t garlic powder
• 1 T ancho chili powder

Blend the Soup: Combine all soup ingredients in a Vitamix and blend until completely smooth and creamy, taste and adjust for salt and spiciness.

Fry the Strips: Combine yeast and spices in small bowl and set aside. Deep fry tortilla strips in two or three batches until crisp and lightly brown.  Drain each batch well on newspaper covered with paper towels to catch the oil, and sprinkle generously with the seasoning mix, tossing to coat. Serve in bowls alongside soup.

Serve soup cool at room temperature, or warm slightly in a saucepan: stirring constantly and testing with a finger often to make sure it does not get too hot. Pour immediately into warmed bowls and pass the strips!

March 8, 2011 - Posted by Jorin Hawley | Fresh, Low Carb Recipes, Raw Food Recipes, Recipes, Soups, Vegan Recipes | Raw Food Recipes, raw recipe, raw soup recipe, raw tomato soup, raw tortilla soup