HEALTHIER DAYS AHEAD

This winter, I have absolutely been craving White Chicken Chili Soup. It was one of my favorite soup recipes growing up, and the spiciness of the flavors would warm me up from the cold, bitter winter. But, since being on this new diet where I recently cut out chicken and dairy, White Chicken Chili Soup seemed off the table. I had to create a new recipe for me!

So, Pork Taco Soup is a new recipe that I was recently inspired to create! The aromatics of garlic and cumin and the heartiness of pork loin and black beans gives so much warmth and flavor to this recipe. Plus, the green chiles and jalapeño give it a nice kick! It’s also gluten/dairy/corn/chicken free, so it’s perfect for the new diet protocol I am on.

The Inspiration

One afternoon, I went out to a lunch at a Mexican Restaurant and ordered a soup I’d never heard of before: Pork Posole. It’s a traditional Mexican dish that dates back centuries and is an absolute classic. This one in particular included pork (so no chicken, yay!) and didn’t have any dairy in it.

There was one ingredient I was unfamiliar with, but just took the chance anyways. For the most part, it seemed like it didn’t have any of my main food triggers in it. And honestly, it was one of the best meals I’ve had in a while! It was so delicious and exactly the kind of soup I’d been needing to try!

But after that lunch, I had a pretty bad IBS flare-up; my stomach inflated like a balloon and started to become so crampy.

And you know what I realized? The soup had hominy in it. If you’re like me and unfamiliar with hominy, it is derived from yellow or white maize, aka corn. And based on the elimination diet I did, I had adverse side effects when testing for corn so I was pretty intolerant to it.

Again, I felt so disappointed because I finally thought I found a soup recipe I could replicate at home. But being on a limited diet has me being more creative with my meals lately. I decided to make my own version of Pork Posole, minus the hominy, and the addition of extra gut-loving ingredients.

Inspired from a variety of recipes, I combined elements I love from White Chicken Chili Soup and the traditional elements of Pork Posole for a well-rounded flavor that packs a gut-health-loving punch.

From Pork Posole, I pulled the spiciness and tanginess that is typically derived from chiles, cumin and pork. I took these elements and married them with key ingredients from White Chicken Chili Soup: Green chiles, cilantro, and cream cheese.

Of course, I had to make it right for the unique diet I am on. That being said, I made this recipe without dairy, corn, and chicken: All ingredients I think could be great additions/substitutions if your digestive system can handle it.

The Ingredients

• Onion: Packed with prebiotics, they support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, aiding in digestion. They also contain flavonoids with potential anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

• Garlic Cloves: Antimicrobial properties rid of unwanted bacteria/yeast, and it helps support your overall immune function.

• Pork Loin Chops: A good source of high-quality protein.

• Cumin and Chili Powder:  Contributes to the soup’s flavor while adding in anti-inflammatory properties.

• Crushed Tomatoes: Tomatoes are rich in vitamins, particularly vitamin C, and antioxidants.

• Black Beans: High in fiber, black beans promote digestive regularity and provide a steady release of energy.

• Green Chilies and Jalapeño: Adding a spicy kick, they contain capsaicin, known for potential metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects.

• Cilantro: Cilantro not only adds freshness but may also have antimicrobial properties, contributing to a healthy balance of gut bacteria.

• Bone Broth: Rich in collagen and gelatin, bone broth supports gut health by promoting the integrity of the gut lining and helping with leaky gut.

• Dairy-Free Cream Cheese: A substitute for traditional cream cheese, this dairy-free version is suitable for those with lactose intolerance. It adds creaminess without compromising gut health!

Other ingredients that would be perfect to top off this soup!

• Avocado

• Lime Juice

• Cilantro

• Tortilla or Cassava Chips

• Dollop of dairy-free cream cheese

• Mexican Cheese / Dairy Free Mexican Cheese

If you are looking to make any substitutions/swaps, I would recommend the below.

• Swap out beef bone broth for chicken bone broth, or regular beef/chicken broth. Bone broth has more gut-supporting properties, like collagen and micronutrients, but regular broth can work just fine.

• Add in canned corn when you add in the rest of the ingredients in soup if you can tolerate corn.

• You can substitute the pork with chicken breasts. Season the same (with salt and cumin) but no need to sear them beforehand. Add them when you combine the rest of the ingredients for the soup, and simmer on low for 20-25 minutes. Pull it out, shred it, then add back to the soup.

• Remove black beans if you are sensitive to high-fiber foods.

• Cream cheese instead of dairy-free cream cheese can be used if you do not need this recipe to be dairy-free.

I hope you enjoy this soup as much as I do! Would love to hear your thoughts about this recipe below! Enjoy!