Enchilada Soup

I frequently work in Neiman Marcus.  On this particular day, I choose to eat in the Mermaid Bar (MB) because I was going to lunch alone.  The Mermaid Bar has an old fashioned parlor counter, so it makes dining alone quick and easy.  I sat next a Neimans employee and began discussing food, cooking, and butter baking.  Never eating at the MB, I asked if she recommended anything off the menu.  She raved about the chicken enchilada soup.  I didn't really feel like soup on this day but ordered a salad and a cup of it.  Upon its arrival, I wished I had ordered a bowl.
Fast forward--This recipe is my attempt to recreate the flavor in this dish.

Attempt One: Nemains 'style' Enchilada Soup:
(Combine all of the ingredients in a crock pot)


1 1/2 pounds of diced tomatoes (18 ounces)
2 Tbls of chopped garlic
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
2 bay leafs
1 can of chicken broth
1 Goya brand Tomato y Cilantro tablet
1 can of garbanzo beans
dash of salt and pepper
**Optional add diced chicken**
NOTE: Vegetarian-Vegan option: Leave out chicken and substitute chicken broth for vegetable broth.

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a crock pot for at least two and half hours.  Next, make a roux and add it to the pot. Stir and let it cook for an additional 30 minutes.

Roux recipe:
A typical roux uses 2 Tbls of four and 2 Tbls of butter. Always remember, the flour and butter are equal in a roux.  There are two types of roux: basic and golden.  This will alter the color of your recipe.  Do not brown the roux for white gravy or soup.  Golden brown gravy requires browning the roux. For this recipe, I used 3 Tbls of butter and 3 Tbls of flour {basic roux}. 

After 3o minutes, turn the crock pot off. **Remove Bay leafs from pot and throw away** { A bay Leaf, if eaten whole or in large amounts is poisonous! It will not kill you but you will be sick}. {If you like chunky soup stop here and serve with garnish below}. Use a wand, such as the 'Braun Magic Wand' to puree the soup.  Ladle the soup into bowls and serve with fresh a fresh avocado and cheese garnish {additional fresh cilantro would make a good garnish too}.