Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Bistro-Style Tomato Soup & Tag


Whenever I don't have time to make full dinner, I love this hearty soup. This is very easy recipe. When you visit bistros, they more often or not have Tomato soup on their menus. They make tomato soup in bulk, and usually it tastes different than the regular tomato soup. It is served with sour cream or yogurt. The secret is "Marinara Sauce". Yep, they use marinara sauce with other fresh ingredients. The soup with marinara is very popular in USA, Italy and in Greece. Sometime the taste of this soup is little bland, so I added cumin powder, tomato paste, and red chilli powder.

Giada, Everyday Italian Fame, made a similar soup with pasta and cannellini beans. Even though I haven't had a chance to make that but It looked like a must try. By the way, this is out of context but I must share, Giada is blessed with baby girl in March of this year "Jade Marie De Laurentiis Thompson" photo.

Ingredients:-


  • 1 Onion, chopped
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, chopped
  • 1 Carrot, chopped
  • 2 tbsp Olive Oil
  • 1 Bay Leaf
  • 4 cups Marinara Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
  • 4-5 cups Vegetable stock
  • 1-1/2 tsp Cumin Powder
  • 1-1/2 tsp Red Chilli Powder
  • 1 tsp Basil, dry
  • 1 tsp Oregano, dry
  • 1/2 cup Navy beans
  • Salt to taste
  • Black Pepper to taste

-- For Garnish

  • Mexican style cheese
  • Scallions, chopped
  • Low Fat yogurt

Method:-
1. Heat oil in sauce pan. Add onion, garlic, carrot, and bay leaf.

2. Seasoned with salt and black pepper. Mix well and sauté for 3-4 minutes.

3. Add tomato paste, basil, oregano, cumin powder, navy beans, and red chilli powder. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

4. Add marinara sauce, and vegetable stock. Cover with lid and bring it to the boil. Simmer for 15 minutes.

5. Take out bay leaf. Blend the soup until smooth. If it’s very thick, add little more stock or water.

6. Pour soup back in the pan, taste and season. Heat it for 3-4 minutes more on high heat.

7. Serve with dollop of yogurt, scallions, and cheese.

Enjoy...

My dear friend, Shubha, tagged me for 10 things I hate. I don't hate too many things and it was a struggle to compile the list. My hate list is not that different from many other people. Like most, I hate hypocrites, dishonest, liars, and back-stabbers, if thats a word. I hate to be late, and don't like people who are usually late that much either. As far food items are concerned, I don't eat many things but I don't hate them, rather I don't like them. These include eggplant, karela, okra which are not crispy. Oh! I hate chefs who use tomato ketchup in gravy and curry recipes. Above all, I hate I can't find 10 items that I hate.

34 comments:

Sum Raj said...

soup looks gr8t...

Laavanya said...

It's a good thing that you have difficulty finding 10 things to hate! :)

Soup looks great and thanks for the secret behind bistro soups..

Suganya said...

Hi...
That was one rocking soup. Looks so good. Love tomato soup a lot, will try ur version next time. YUM! Loved ur presentation too.

ranji said...

thats a lovely soup madhavi.i tried out many soups but nothing beats a simple tomato soup:).most comfort dish any time..healthy too......lovely presentation too..

Indranee Batabyal said...

Yummy tomato soup:) looks very tempting!

Finla said...

Soup looks delicious.
I should look for this Marinara Sauce here.
When i find them i am going to make the soup

Cham said...

I love the soup and crackers with u served, so class :) Love the presenta and soup Too :)

Hetal said...

lovely soup...so comforting!!!loved the presentation..

Uma said...

So refreshing soup and beautiful presentation! Good meme.

Archy said...

lovely presentation!! Looks great !!

Unknown said...

Seems u r a great fan of Giada..Saw roasted bell pepper soup in todays programme..Was thinking of ur recipe..This soup looks really professional Madhavi

Vaidehi Bhave said...

hi,

Thanks for visiting my blog! I am really impressed by your blog and cooking. A lot of variety!

Vaidehi
Chakali

SASHREE said...

soup is just looking delicious...good meme

Anonymous said...

Wow...the soup looks yummy! And nice meme :)

Anonymous said...

Hey,I love Giada too..thanks for sharing the pic :)

ST said...

soup looks inviting ......

FH said...

I knew Giada was pregnant, she had a baby already! That's good news!:))
Soup looks fab, very professional looking!:))

EC said...

Soup is very tempting...loved the way u have presented it

Dori said...

Tomato soups are too good, it looks delicious!

Meera said...

Tomato soup looks so comforting. Loved the idea of Marinara sauce

Sailaja said...

I love Tomato Soup. This soup looks very simple and delicious. Lovely picture.

Neha said...

yummy soup madhavi,
i 've something waiting for u in my blog, do check it out...

Unknown said...

very Lovely recipe. Loved to know the secret ingredient.Great presentation too.

Madhavi said...

Thanxx Suma :)

Thanxx Laavanya :)

Thanxx Sukanya :)

Thanxx Ranji, yep this is really simple and easy too :)

Thanxx Indranee :)

Thanxx Happy Cook :)

Thanxx Cham :)

Thanxx Hetal :)

Thaxx Uma :)

Madhavi said...

Thanxx Archy :)

Thanxx Divya, ha yaar I am big fan of her :)

Thanxx Vaidehi :)

Thanxx Sashree :)

Thanxx Homecooked :)

Thanxx Sireesha :)

Thanxx Asha di :)

Thanxx Easycraft :)

Thanxx Meeso :)

Thanxx Meera :)

Thanxx Sailaja :)

Thanxx Neha :)

Thanxx Pearlsofeast :)

Thank you so much to all of u for ur lovely comments. Love you all :))

Kumudha said...

Soup looks so tasty.

Kalai said...

Gorgeous soup, Madhavi!! Yeah, I read about Giada's baby somewhere, too. :)

Pravs said...

nice soup ! Good, you have positive outlook in life rather than spend life hating things :D

Sia said...

thats my bowl of comfort food and thanks for revealing the secret of marinara sauce behind this soup:)

Pravs said...

I have something for you on my blog..please do check it out :)

Madhavi said...

Thanxx Kumudha :)

Thanxx Kalai :)

Thanxx Pravs :)

Thanxx Sia :)

test it comm said...

This soup sounds really tasty. Great idea to use the marinara sauce.

Andhra Flavors said...

soup looks delicious.
U have an award in my blog:)

Mina Joshi said...

Looks delicious. Love the way you have served it.