Chicken Tortilla Soup-Stimulating, Cold Weather Meal

By Doc Lawrence

https://www.newsbreak.com/doc-lawrence-1599273/3709625362231-southern-delight-rabbittown-s-tangy-tortilla-soup?s=ws_em

Nestled near Gainesville, Georgia, Rabbittown is a community rich in cultural heritage and vibrant Southern charm. It is notably recognized for being the home of the famed folk artist R.A. Miller and the popular Rabbittown Cafe.

R.A. Miller, a celebrated figure in American folk art, was known for his whimsical and colorful artwork that often featured themes of religion and Americana.

Complementing the artistic legacy of R.A. Miller is the Rabbittown Cafe, a beloved local eatery. Known for its delicious Southern cuisine, the cafe is a staple in the community, providing hearty meals and a sense of home. Just outside Gainesville, the home of Georgia’s chicken industry, the area includes a large Latin American workforce whose culinary traditions include many popular and delicious dishes.

Mr. Miller’s Tortilla Soup

Ingredients:

3 chicken breasts (cooked and diced into bite-size chunks)

2 cups corn

2 bell peppers (your favorite color), diced

2 tomatoes, diced small

1 red onion, diced small

1 jalapeño (remove seeds to lessen the heat), finely chopped

1 poblano pepper, diced small

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 small can green chiles

2 cans black beans, rinsed

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon oregano

6 cups chicken broth

2 cups water

1 lime, juiced

Crystal River hot sauce

5 small corn tortillas, cut into long thin strips

Olive oil for cooking

Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

2 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon cumin

1 tablespoon oregano

Preparation:

Preheat a large skillet; carefully add the oil. sauté the onions, bell peppers, jalapeño, poblano and corn until soft; about 8 minutes. Add the minced garlic, tomatoes and green chilis and cook for additional 5 minutes. Next, add rinsed black beans, chili powder, cumin and oregano. Stir all the ingredients to combine. Pour in the chicken broth and water; add the diced chicken and tortilla strips. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, finish with fresh lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Serve with fresh avocado, sour cream and crushed tortilla chips if desired.

NOTE:

Famed folk artist R.A. Miller was from Rabbittown. Miller's work was included in Outside the Mainstream: Folk Art in Our Time at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta and Passionate Visions of the American South at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Miller began creating art later in his life, transforming his rural property into a vibrant outdoor gallery filled with his imaginative creations. Many of his works contained messages of faith and patriotism, reflecting his personal beliefs and the cultural backdrop of the South. His work gained national attention and is beloved by art enthusiasts and collectors.