Heat oil in stock pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and bell pepper. Sauté about 3 minutes. Add garlic. Sauté 1 minute. Add tomato paste. Cook 2 minutes, stirring constantly until caramelized. Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, water, and chicken broth. Bring to boil. Reduce to simmer. Add cumin, chili powder, cayenne powder, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf. Simmer about 5 minutes. Add black beans, corn, and chicken. Simmer about 30 minutes. Remove bay leaf. Add cilantro. Remove bay leaf. Pour soup into bowls. Top with crispy tortilla strips. Serves 6–8.
Wine Recommendation—Tassel Ridge Sweet Roxie Red®
Sweet Roxie Red is a refreshing, sweet, fruity red wine with cherry and citrus on the nose and sweet cherry and candied fruits on the palate. Made from a blend of Marquette grapes grown in our Iowa vineyards and Muscat grapes, Sweet Roxie Red is a great sipping wine or pair it with spicy Asian and Mexican foods. Serve chilled. Store at 55°F.