TOMATO SOUP / CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP

Tomato soup is a soup made with tomatoes as the primary ingredient. It may be served hot or cold in a bowl and may be made in a variety of ways, each taste different depending on the ingredients used and cooking method. It may be smooth in texture or may include chunks of tomato, cream and chicken or vegetable stock.

Tomato soup act as a great source of lycopene, which protects us from destructive free radicals. Also it provides a number of other vitamins & minerals. They are known to protect us against heart diseases, cancer, asthma and ensure healthy bones, teeth, skin and hair.

Tomato soup is one of the top comfort foods in whole world specially in Poland and the United States. Commercially prepared tomato soup is available in a variety of forms, including canned, condensed and in dehydrated powder form. Gazpacho is a tomato soup of Spanish origin, served cold. Gazpacho is mostly consumed during the summer months, due to its refreshing qualities and cold serving temperature.

This version of tomato soup has amazingly great flavors, nice texture & tastes superb with little tang & sweetness. But there is also a lot of scopes to experiment with different flavors and I suggest you add your own spices to make this recipe even more delicious.

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 medium tomatoes
• 3 medium garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tej patta (bay leaf)
• 1 teaspoon corn flour (corn starch) + 2 tablespoon water
• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon cream (25- 30% fat)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 slice of bread - brown bread or whole wheat or white bread
• ½ tsp freshly crushed or powdered black pepper
• Salt as required
• Coriander leaves for garnishing

PROCEDURE:

• Preparing tomato puree:

1. Rinse the tomatoes well and keep aside.
2. In a saucepan or pot take enough water, so that the tomatoes get immersed completely. Add 1 teaspoon salt to the water and bring the water to a rolling boil.
3. Add the tomatoes, switch off the fire and let the tomatoes be immersed in the hot water for 10-20 minutes.
4. Drain the water and let them cool down. Once the tomatoes cool down, then peel them off. Then chop the tomatoes on a chopping board and add everything to the blender, blend the tomatoes to a smooth puree. keep aside.
5. In the meantime, finely chop the onion & garlic and keep aside.

• Making croutons:

1. Spread butter on the bread slices and toast them on a low flame till it is browned and crisp from both sides. If using the oven, place the bread in the oven at 200 degrees C and toast the bread till its browned and crisp.
2. Once the bread is toasted and golden, slice it into bite sized cubes. keep aside.

• Making tomato soup:

1. Melt butter in a pan. Add the bay leaf and saute for 1 to 2 seconds. Add the finely chopped garlic and saute for some seconds on a low flame. No need to brown garlic.
2. Then add the chopped onions and saute till the onions become translucent. Now add the tomato puree, stir and then add water, salt and pepper. Let the soup come to a gentle boil on a low to medium flame.
3. Make a smooth paste of the cornflour with water and add it to the soup. Stir well and simmer for 3 to 4 minutes till the tomato soup thickens on a low flame. Now add sugar and cream and simmer for a minute.
4. Pour the steaming hot tomato soup in soup bowls. Garnish it with parsley or coriander leaves. Serve the tomato soup hot along with toasted bread or croutons, salads, grilled veggies, cheese toast, sandwiches, spring rolls or cheese balls.

NOTES:

• You can use olive oil or coconut oil instead of butter and coconut cream instead of dairy cream.
• Use fresh ripe red tomatoes. Avoid using tomatoes which are sour or unripe.
• Adding little sugar and cream will balance the sour and pungent taste. Adjust the sugar depending on the sourness of tomatoes.
• Corn starch can be replaced with flour, boiled potato, carrot or arrow root powder for thickening of the soup.
• You can skip the onions in the soup if you prefer, but don't forget to add the garlic.
• A slight bit of tomato ketchup can be added which will increase the flavor and taste.