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HEARTY CHICKEN TACO SOUP

3 cups chopped, cooked chicken
2 (28 oz.) cans reduced-sodium diced tomatoes
2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
2 (15 oz.) cans whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed
1 envelope ranch dressing mix
1 envelope reduced-sodium taco seasoning mix
2 to 4 cups water or reduced-sodium chicken broth
Nonstick cooking spray
6 small flour tortillas
3/4 cup fat-free sour cream
11/2 cups (6 ozs .) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

Combine chicken, undrained tomatos , black beans, corn, ranch dressing mix and taco seasoning mix in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Add 2 cups of water or more as needed. Simmer for 30 minutes. Spray baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Place tortillas on baking sheet and spray each tortilla with nonstick cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes, or until slightly crisp. Cut into 1/4-inch thick strips. Ladle soup into soup bowls. Top each serving with tortilla strips and 1 tablespoon of sour cream. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons cheese. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutrition per serving: calories, 324; protein, 21 g.; carbohydrates, 41 g.; total fat, 9 g.; saturated fat, 4 g; cholesterol, 39 mg.; fiber, 8 g and sodium, 400 mg.

PEPPERONI PIZZA SOUP

8 ozs . Italian sausage, casings removed
11/4 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 (15 oz.) can pizza sauce
2 cups water
1 cup chopped pepperoni
1 cup chopped plum tomatoes
1/4 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Shredded mozzarella cheese, enough for garnish

Brown sausage in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring until crumbly; drain. Add mushrooms, onion and bell pepper and saute until vegetables are tender. Stir in pizza sauce, water, pepperoni, tomatoes and Italian seasoning. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in Parmesan cheese just before serving. Ladle into soup bowls and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Serve with focaccia . Yield: 6 servings.

Nutrition per serving: calories, 244; protein, 12 g.; carbohydrates, 11 g.; total fat 17 g.; saturated fat, 7 g; cholesterol, 38 mg.; fiber, 2 g.; sodium, 1069 mg.