Risa, Your posted recipe for the Tortilla Soup says that it was quite hot but I don't see anything in it that would produce that. The chipotle is only 1/4 teaspoon so that wouldn't be very hot. Did I miss something? terry Here's your recipe. Tortilla Soup Risa G. Ingredients 1 tablespoon canola oil 1 onion -- chopped 2 clove garlic -- chopped 1 can fire-roasted tomatoes -- undrained* 14 oz 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder** (did this to make it less hot so Trev would eat it BUT he didn't) 6 cup vegetable broth*** salt and pepper -- to taste 2 corn tortillas -- cut into strips 1/2 avocado -- pitted, peeled & cut into cubes chopped onion fresh cilantro Instructions Heat the oil in a large pot over MED heat. Cook the onion and garlic until soft and translucent. Transfer to a blender and add the tomatoes (with juice) and chipotle; puree until smooth. Return to pot and add broth. Bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Lay tortilla strips on a baking sheet lined with a silpat liner and bake until lightly brown and crispy. Season soup with lime juice; adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper and hot sauce, if you wish. Divide among 4 warm bowls. Top with tortilla strips, avocado, and as many of the other garnishes as you wish. Risa's notes: * original recipe just calls for one can of canned whole tomatoes ** original calls for 1 chipotle chile, I used powder *** original called for chicken broth AND to cook a whole chicken breast in broth. I made this a vegetarian dish instead. Yield: 4 servings Source: Cook This, Not That Posted by RisaG 4/24/10 Recipe Notes This came out much hotter than expected. I used dried ground chipotle instead of 1 whole chipotle thinking it would be less hot. Instead it was almost over-powering but still wonderful, of course. I ganrished it with sour cream and cilantro. Mmmm....soooooo delicious and light. Served with grilled cheese sandwiches. My Foodie Photos http://www.flickr.com/terrypogue "My idea of pure heaven is to spend a day in the kitchen, peeling, chopping, and stirring while the words of a good book fill the air around me." Ruth Reichl