Healing Woman

ITALIAN TOMATO BASIL SOUP

This recipe comes together in a flash

Instant gratification! Yes! I have to admit that is what I am thinking in the springtime when I am looking for lush basil. Jan from Walter’s Greenhouse always provides me with a huge pot of the most beautiful, profuse basil around. Naturally, I buy it immediately since I am hungry for my Italian Tomato Basil Soup. Ideally, this soup would be best made in July when the tomatoes are ripe and ready to be plucked from the vine. But, being impatient for that time to come, I must have my soup now. So, even though I hate to compromise anything, I decide to make the soup and add my secret ingredient to it, which I would not have to do in July since the tomatoes and basil are perfect for soup then.

My lush basil and Provence Herb sign

Instant gratification basil used in the recipe

This is one of the rubber-stamped recipes I create for my cookbooks

This recipe is easily assembled and cooked. Now for the secret ingredient: I add 1 squirt of red pepper tomato paste. This would be about 5 teaspoons or a bit more. You can add more depending on your desire for heat.

Any brand will do, but I find this one to be superb!

I find that this ingredient takes the place of laboriously cutting tomatoes and oiling a pan and broiling or roasting the tomatoes in the oven for 20-30 minutes. The effect is the same, if not a bit better.

Sometimes I add Cream Fraiche to the finished bowl of soup for a delightful taste sensation. Sour cream is also gratifiying.

Instant gratification Italian Tomato Basil Soup -- delicious!

Check my site next Tuesday for another "Food for Thought" recipe.