FRESH Tomato Tomato Soup

My garden is giving up it's bounty by the pound now.  I have almost all of the tomatoes I can use... but just almost.  There is just nothing better than a fresh picked tomato.  And this soup shines with all that freshness and plenty of extras.  Like a little nuttiness from some Parmesan Cheese.  And a tiny bit of heat from a single Jalapeno.  Of course, Cumin is my favorite spice to add to almost any cooked tomato dish, really kicks the flavor.  Fresh herbs, an Italian Soffrito (Onions, Celery, Carrots and herbs) and even a sweet potato added for creamy natural sweetness.


A few days ago I posted a "How To" tutorial on making Chicken Stock from a Store Bought rotisserie Chicken.   I always want to make sure I have plenty on hand... Especially during Fall and Winter (Prime Soup making season)!  And sure enough, the rich flavorful stock is used to flavor and thin the soup.

I made this in a Crock Pot slow cooker.  You can certainly make this stove top.  But I love the smell of the house when I long simmer this recipe.  Besides.  Once everything is started this is a set and forget for several hours recipe...

What could be easier.

And finally a note about tomatoes.  As I write this, mid September, I have an abundance of fresh tomatoes.  There is just nothing like the flavors of truly straight from the vine tomatoes.  BUT, the tomatoes that are on the store shelf in December have very little of that fresh taste.  They have been sprayed and doctored to travel ( often from South America) and "look" fresh for months.  If you are trying this recipe out of season, always better to use canned tomatoes.  In winter, canned is freshest.

OK... Forget Caier wishes and Champagne dreams... I'll take a bowl of this soup and a Grilled Cheese (try adding a few Apple slices to that cheese) for real comfort!

OK... Here's what I did...

FRESH Tomato Tomato Soup

Ingredients

• 5 Pounds Fresh Tomatoes, hard stem removed, rough chopped... Out of season, better to use LARGE Can of diced Tomatoes They are the freshest in winter.
• 3 TBS Olive Oil
• 1 Large Red Onion, peeled, diced
• 2 Large Carrots, peeled, diced
• 2 Stalks Celery, diced
• 1/4 Cup Fresh Herbs, I used Oregano, Sage and Parsley
• 1 Medium Sweet Potato, microwaved until soft, peeled
• 2 Cups Chicken Stock
• 1/2 Cup Freshly grated Parmesan Cheese
• 1 Jalapeno Pepper core and seeds removed, minced
• 2 tsp Garlic Powder
• 2 tsp Cumin
• 2 Small cans (6 Oz) Tomato Paste

Cooking Directions

1. In a LARGE Crock Pot slow cooker, add the diced tomatoes, skins, seeds and all (soup will be run through a blender to smooth everything out). Set on high, cover and allow the tomatoes to simmer down for an hour.
2. Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the Onions, Carrots and Celery. Saute for about 5 minutes until the Onions become soft and translucent.
3. Add the herbs and stir to mix. Transfer all of this to the Crock Pot slow cooker.
4. Add the microwaved soft cooked peeled and diced Sweet Potato to the Crock pot slow cooker. Stir everything to combine.
5. Add the Chicken Stock, Parmesan Cheese, minced Jalapeno, Garlic Powder and Cumin. Stir again to combine.
6. Cover and simmer on Low for 8 hours (or High for 3)
7. After several hours of simmering, use a hand wand blender (or transfer in batches to a food processor or stand blender) and blend until smooth.
8. Add the Tomato Paste as needed to thicken, blending again with each can added. If your soup is still too thin, allow to simmer uncovered for 1 hour more.
9. Serve HOT and Enjoy

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Recipes for Soup, Chili or Chowder" (Now more than 52 and still growing)

Soup from Scratch is one of the great kitchen joys.  The house smells amazing and the soup warms to the bone.  From broth to chowder, vegetarian to loaded up chili... Even a great idea for a party (love the Potato Soup Bar idea).  Come take a look, sure to have something you might like to try.  All recipes have been tested and WORK!

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So,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of "52 Ways to Cook SLOW COOKER-CROCK POT Easy Recipes"!!!

From meat dishes (Like an AMAZING Root Beer Pulled Pork that will feed a small army), to kitchen staples (FREE Gallon of Chicken Stock anyone?) to a slew of Soup and Stew recipes, these are the dishes that will change the way you cook.  Start in the morning, set and forget and dinner is on the table... Easy Peasy indeed!!!

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