TOMATO SOUP

This is a very simple kind of Tomato Soup, which I learnt in a cookery class, several years ago. I have made this countless times, and it has been a success always. My family members love this soup, especially on a rainy or cold day, with some form of bread...grilled or toasted.  Tomatoes are so good for health, an excellent source of anti oxidants and rich in dietary fiber. Juicy, delicious, sweet, tangy and they are fat-free and low in calories.

Ingredients

Firm, ripe tomatoes - 5

Onion - 1, chopped

Beetroot - 5-6 slices, chopped

Carrot - 1 small, chopped

Garlic - 3-4 pods

Bay leaf - 1

Olive oil - 2 tsps

Milk - 1/2 cup

Cornflour - 1 1/2 tsps

Sugar - 1 tsp

Salt to taste

Pepper powder to taste

Recipe Cuisine: Italian; Category: Lunch/Dinner

Prep time: 10 mts; Cooking time: 10 mts

Yields 6-7 bowls of soup

Washed and kept ready

In a pressure pan, add 2 tsps of olive oil

Add the bay leaf, garlic, onions, beets and carrots. Saute well.

Add the tomatoes, keep the flames on the lowest, keep sauteeing till.....

the tomatoes look somewhat shrunk. Add 1 tsp of sugar. This sugar is to preserve the rich colour of the veggies...not only that...also to suppress the tangy taste of tomatoes

Add water upto the level of tomatoes, and pressure cook for 3 whistles

After the pressure releases, open the lid...this is how it looks

Remove the bay leaf and the skins of the tomatoes, after they cool down.

Blend to a thick puree of the vegetables, removed from the water

If you want, you can strain. I don't normally do. Add the puree to the water remaining, add salt and bring to a boil. Add pepper powder to taste.

Now add the cornflour, diluted in 1/2 cup milk, which is not cold, boiled  and is in room temperature. This way, the soup becomes a very healthy one, instead of adding fresh cream to it.

Let it simmer for 5 minutes, serve with home-made herbed croutons.

Now,  for the herbed croutons

In a nonstick tava, spray some olive oil, add mixed italian spices, then add 2-3 slices of cubed bread slices. Keep tossing them, till they become crisp.

This post first appeared in www.malpatskitchen.com

Notes

*If you want the soup to be on the spicy side, you can add some chilli flakes too.

*For kids, some grated cheese can be added .

*Serve hot with bread toasts or sandwiches of your choice.

Categories: International cuisine, Pressure cooker recipes, Soups- Sandwiches-Salads