This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Avocados from Mexico for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.
After growing up in a house with two boys who proclaimed anything with a liquid base to be “not real dinner” (all I have to say to that is – milkshakes. Seriously. Yes.), I always feel like I have to defend soup when placing a bowl of it in front of someone and calling it a complete meal.
The time it takes to stir and simmer and stir some more is spent building a case for it, piecing together the evidence until it is indisputable.
In the case of this Mexican vegetable soup, there’s not much to argue about in my opinion. Carrots, string beans, and chickpeas with a chipotle-tomato base.
(“Oh, so it’s a stew!,” says The.Boy. Of course! you reply, because stew is filling and manly and something worth getting excited about, at least in the world of the Y chromosome.)
And then there’s the cherry avocado on top.
Which, in my opinion, is what ties the whole thing together.
It combats the spice, while also adding a satisfying creamy bite against the backdrop of tomato’s tang.
Add a slice of sourdough on the side to sop up all of those wonderful juices, and there you have it. A complete meal.
Case dismissed.
I’m all about topping everything with an avocado these days, which is perfect timing seeing as how they are currently in season! And Avocados from Mexico has a lot of fun stuff going on right now to celebrate. Check out their Share the Avocado Love Facebook app for great ways to Share The Avocado Love! You can download free ringtones, virtual gifts, wallpapers, and blogger badges! In addition, they have an Avocados from Mexico Cafe Press store where you can purchase some awesome avocado gear, like t-shirts, coffee mugs, and this fabulous reusable shopping bag (which I just ordered!!). If you too love avocados, it’s definitely worth checking out!
One year ago…Italian Cream Puffs with Custard Filling
Two years ago…Split Pea Soup, Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Three years ago…Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Four years ago…Caramelized Sweet Potato, Garlic and Rosemary Mac and Cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 carrots, cut into ¼-inch thick slices
- 12 oz string beans, trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
- 6 cups vegetable broth
- 1 (14 oz) can chickpeas
- 2 tsp chipotle chiles en adobo, minced
- 1 avocado, peeled and sliced
- Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot over medium-high heat. Add the red onion, garlic, oregano and salt. Saute until softened, about 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Add the carrots, string beans, and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer. Add in the vegetable broth and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Add in the chickpeas and chipotles. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Season to taste with salt.
- Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with the avocado slices.
Reading your post, for the first time it occurred to me how the composition of a family affects eating habits. I was raised by a single mother from age 11 or so onward, and I’m sure the lack of males with gargantuan appetites influenced my tendency to graze rather than eat big, hearty meals.
I’ve never thought of using avocado as a garnish for soup, btw–but since sour cream is often used in the same way, it totally makes sense!
I’d love to have access to beautiful avocadoes – the ones we get in the UK are usually rock hard and sometimes take a fortnight to ripen.
when I met E he didn’t like soup much – now he knows it is dinner but he also knows it is going to be hearty – love love love soup and need more avocado on mine
These honestly looks like the perfect soup to me!!
I love topping things with avocado… but I haven’t done it with soup yet. This looks great!
I swear – I stomach groweled when I looked at the first photo! I am making this tonight – I have to stop for milk anyway and I already have carrots.
Errr – “my” stomach growled. When will I learn to read before posting comments??? 🙂
A spicy and colorful soup perfect for this time of the year.
I’m so happy you posted this today. I fell in love when I saw it on Pinterest. Great recipe!!
My husband is the same way, soup doesn’t really qualify as a meal according to him. When I do make soup I also have to have some substantial bread or a roast chicken on the side.
Soup is definitely a meal, but my husband will eat at least 5 servings in one sitting to declare it “dinner”. This looks fabulous!
What a great way to add more veggies to one’s diet. Looks delightful, darling.
I put avocados on pretty much everything, but then I live in So Cal. I try to buy mine only at the farmer’s market or the local produce stand. They tend to be richer and creamier.
Plus, I hate it when you get a bad avocado.
Warm and healthy soups! I love making soup’s in the winter and I always end up having so many veggies in the fridge to use up so this is a nice recipe to try out!
We love all things avocado… As far as soup for dinner, Phil will go for it as long as it is “soup and sndwich” 😉
I had no idea avocados even had a season! I’ll take this as an excuse to eat even more than usual this week 🙂 One of my favourite snacks is just avocado on toast, but I love them in spicy dishes like this too to cool them down!
It looks like a complete meal to me! Love the avocado on top. YUM.
Soup is totally a meal. I mean, look at that avocado and those chickpeas! A complete protein-packed meal that’s super delicious. Luckily, Peter loves soup for dinner (although it will take some convincing to get him to eat all those veggies … )
Have a great week, Joanne!
This is so perfect for this rainy day!!!!
I completely agree with you. Soup can definitely be a filling dinner, and I’m in love with avocados as well. This soup looks perfect, and I’m pretty sure that I have most of the ingredients on hand. (Winning) Thanks for the recipe and happy Monday! 🙂
I went on an avocado tour last spring to the fields and plant. So cool! and I love them.
And your images are stunning! Jump off the page perfect!
I could eat soup for a meal any day. Jeff, on the other hand, doesn’t believe soup constitutes a whole meal. But I’m working on him. This one looks wonderful, especially with the avocado on top!
I absolutely love avocados! I could eat them every single day – especially in salad, but what a great way to top a stew. Delicious!
As a recent convert to having soup for every evening meal (belive me, it has changed my life…) I will be adding this gorgeous soup to my menu really soon :). Cheers for a soupy share
My adult son just insisted that I add his 2c worth to this discussion “Soup is foods last chance to be eaten”…sigh…oh well, at least we have a balanced opinion now! 😉
Great soup Joanne and I am no doubt in the school that “soup is a meal”.
This is the perfect winter stew/soup/magical yummness!
This is a soup after my own heart…as it contains all my favourite veggies and AVOCADO!!
I would eat avocado on practically anything, for real. (And now I suddenly want sushi…gosh, I wonder why?) It’s such a good way to make a mostly-veg meal super filling!
This soup could warm up anyone and it looks full of delicious ingredients 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Love this hearty, spicy soup! Perfect for warming up this winter!
The contrast of colors in this soup makes it my favorite!
I’ve always considered soup an entree and not a main course – unless there’s plenty of bread to go with it – or a topping a delicious looking avocado of course xx
Yes I would agree that anything topped with avocado is then a complete meal – especially when a nice slice of bread is added.
Oh, how I love avocados. I’m making a taco salad, tonight, just so I can slice avocado on top. This looks healthy, comforting and flavorful.
LOL, you totally crack me up! My husband is always a little skeptical when I tell him we’re having soup for dinner. He looks at me like, ok, but what else? 🙂
my husband feels like he may as well have a glass of water for dinner, men. this looks awesome, and i LOVE the avo on top!
I enjoy the idea of topping a stew-like soup with avocado. How good to have fruits and vegetables as a warm entree…:)
I love a hearty soup like this- and with creamy avocado.. what a winner!
My BIL doesn’t consider anything without some type of animal, a meal. If I serve a really hearty pasta packed with tomatoes, artichokes, and spinach, he considers it a “side dish” and inquires about the “main”…That’s weird, right? Drives me crazy…
I have converted Dino into not thinking that soup “is just a good meal with water thrown on it” anymore. Boys. Ugh. But seriously…chipotle AND avocado?! Yessssss!! This looks great!
Um, excuse me? How have I never thought to put avocado in my soup? What is my deal???
I love having soup as a meal, especially in the winter, totally a real dinner!
I’ve encountered the same situation! Sigh. This is so hearty and warming I don’t know how anyone could walk away unsatisfied! I am loving all your chipotle recipes lately.
I’ve never understood stews versus soups. It’s all in a bowl.
That looks delicious and healthy! Topping anything with avocado just takes it to the next level.
Anything with avocado please! I stocked up last week when they were fifty cents each at the grocery. 🙂
To me, soup is definitely a meal, and I could eat avos plain all day!
That’s a meal in one bowl as far as I’m concerned ;). My husband’s the same way, but my kids are learning that a hearty soup can be a meal. Love the avocado on top!
Avocado belongs on EVERYTHING. This looks delicious!
We’ve been doing a lot of soup lately. And a lot of avocado!
What a great idea for dinner, would definitely warm me up. Great way to use avocado too.
Mmmmmm! When I saw this pic on Instagram, I was really, REALLY hoping that you’d post it. Thank You! I looks amazing. Nom, avocados…
Oh, I love everything about this soup!
i used to think soup wasn’t a real meal either. now i am reformed! the avocado on top is just a bonus 🙂
I LOVE soup. Totally counts as a meal. I could, in fact, eat it for every meal pretty sure. Avocado on top = extra yummy.
i eat vegetable soup all the time but i’ve never thought about topping it with avocado! i like the spices too. 🙂
Mmm, this is my kind of soup. A meal isn’t a meal unless it has meat in it, according to hubby, so when I make something like this I throw some sausage in his 🙂
That’s so funny. I remember the first time I realized other families did not think of soup as a complete meal (or maybe soup plus bread or rice if it did not have any starch). It was shocking to me! LOL This looks great!
I could live on this soup all winter.
I love soup as a meal and this looks spicy and warming. I have been eating at least three avocados a week since they have been in season, yummy!
of course avocado goes on top! 😉
My favorite use of avocado is blended in to home made ranch dressing. It makes a thick dip for deep fried asparagus.
The soup looks great, Joanne! If it had ham hock in it, it would remind me of the veggie soup my mom made (without the chipotle of course, didn’t know that word in 1970’s).
Have a great weekend!
I love the way this soup looks, and it sounds delicious. Lately, I have developed a habit of buying a bag of avocados every time I go to the store. I have the best intentions to try a new recipe, but then I just end up eating them smashed up on bread or in slices on a sandwich. I never thought of putting them on soup. Great idea!
Yeah, the phrase “avocado on top” will sell me on pretty much anything! Love avocados. So much.
I cant believe I have never put an avo on soup before. I feel slightly ashamed! How good would it be?!!! 😀
Hi there. The current Food on Friday on Carole’s Chatter is collecting links to posts about Mexican dishes and flavours. I do hope you link this one in. This is the link . Please do pop back to check out some of the other links – there are a lot of good ones already. Have a great week.
What a beautiful soup Joanne and the additional topping of avocados just make it perfect!
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