Easy Tomato Soup

Day 31

I know no one wants to think about winter, but if you want to bring the best of summer with you as you're bundled up in the blizzard-like Indiana months, we need to do a little prep work. We're spoiled right now with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, but soon the produce department will look a little drab, and you'll long for a fresh ripe tomato. So, today we're making homemade tomato soup. Trust me, you'll be so happy to open your freezer in January to find this summertime teaser. My first attempt at this was a complete disaster. I ended up with a watery, bland mess that I wouldn't want...even in January. The blender was buzzing, the food processor was smoking, and the walls, counter and floor looked like I committed a serious crime. So I started over. Be picky choosy with your tomatoes. Ripe beefsteak tomatoes are the best for this. This isn't the fastest recipe, but what I've quickly learned is you can't rush soup. It takes its precious pretty time, and you better oblige.

Recipe: Serves 6

1 tbsp mild olive oil

2 medium red onions

3 cloves of garlic

pinch of red chilli flakes

2 kg good quality tomatoes (preferably organic)

1 tbsp fresh thyme

1 tbsp fresh oregano

850 ml good quality vegetable broth

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

1. Heat the oil in a heavy- bottomed pan.

2. Chop the onions and the garlic very finely and add to the oil along with the chilli flakes. Sauté gently over a low heat for five minutes.

3. Meanwhile, chop the tomatoes into medium- sized chunks.

4. Turn up the heat and add the tomatoes, the thyme and the oregano to the pan. Stir well and continue to cook for about two minutes.

5. Pour the vegetable broth into the pan and allow the soup to quickly come to the boil. Reduce the heat, and simmer gently for half an hour.

6. Puree the soup in batches and return to the pan. Make sure that the soup is not too thin. It should remain a little chunky.

7. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary.

8. Continue to cook for a final ten minutes.

Recipe adapted from healthycookingsuite101.com