Abiento Tortilla Soup (aka the BEST tortilla soup ever ever ever)

Seriously. This is THE BEST tortilla soup you will ever have. It's addicting. There's lots of chopping/prep, but otherwise super duper easy. Oh man, I want more right. now. It makes a lot and although I had intentions to freeze half, it's just too good and we ate it for several days.

2 TB olive oil
3-5 cloves garlic, smashed
2 stalks celery, coarsely chopped
1 large white onion, coarsely chopped
2 whole leeks, coarsely chopped
2 red bell peppers, coarsely chopped
2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 TB ground coriander
2 tsp cumin
6 TB chopped cilantro
2 quarts chicken broth
6 corn tortillas, torn in pieces
salt, pepper

optional:
canned corn
shredded cooked chicken
grated cheese
avocado
red pepper flakes

Heat oil in large stock pot. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add celery, onion, peppers, and leeks. Saute over medium heat until soft, 8-9 minutes.

Add tomatoes, coriander, cumin and 6 TB cilantro. Cook 2 minutes.

Add chicken broth and simmer 25 minutes.

Tear corn tortillas into pieces and add to mixture. Simmer 10 minutes. Remove pot from heat and transfer (in batches) to food processor or blender. Or use immersion blender if you have one! Puree until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken and corn. Heat through.

Garnish with tortillas chips, sour cream, cilantro, cheese, and/or avocado. Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for spice.

DEVOUR DEVOUR DEVOUR!