Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Creamy Tomato Soup

What a busy week it has been. I'm being sucked into the vortex of kiddie birthday parties. Once you are in, you can never get out. As much fun as it is for the kids, its the same old, same old routine for the parents. The last four birthday parties I've been to have been at the same kids gym location. The same place, the same routine, the same pizza. I think I'm ready for a change of scene. A change of food scene atleast.

So today I decided to make myself a nice light creamy (light & creamy? stay with me!) tomato soup. Its been windy and cold in the NYC area and the sun has been its usual deceptive self around this time of year. After being in and out of the house for the umpteenth time today, I cozily settled in to have my soup and boy, did it deliver. The right amount of heat - from its spice and its temperature. 



Not strained, hence a richer red color


The soup is vegan and the "creaminess" comes from coconut milk.Since I used coconut milk, the soup was pretty light. The soup also has some standard indian spices, to give it a twist from the traditional recipe. It really worked for me, I hope you like the combination too.


I love the idea of serving soup as an appetizer at parties, served up in shot glasses. Drop a crouton in and its a perfect shot (barring any tequila you might be planning to serve).

This version of the soup is lighter in color since this was strained

RECIPE
Prep Time :15 minsServes:1-2 people
Cooking Time :20 mins
INGREDIENTS
>3 roma/plum tomatoes
>1/4 yellow onion
>1-2 garlic cloves
>pinch Turmeric (optional)
>1/2 tbsp red chilli powder 
>3-4 tsp coconut milk (less is more here)
>Salt/pepper 
>2-3 tbsp olive oil
>2 pinches of kasuri methi (or basil leaves)
>day old bread or sliced bread for croutons (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
*Heat a pan and add olive oil
*Add garlic and chopped onions right after
*Cook on low-medium heat till the onions cook. Careful not to brown them
*Add pinch of turmeric and red chilli powder
*Add chopped tomatoes. Cover and cook till tomatoes soften. About 10 mins
*Once tomatoes cook, add coconut milk and let cook for another 5-7 mins
*Add kasuri methi, if using and cook for 1-2 mins
*Add salt pepper to taste
*Add 1/2 cup of water and let it cool
*Using a hand blender or a regular blender, blend the soup well
*Using a strainer, strain the soup to get a smooth texture. If you like your soup to have texture, skip this step
*Garnish with chopped basil if not using kasuri methi
*For croutons, fry square pieces of bread in olive oil, drain on paper towel and add to soup


16 comments:

  1. Tomato and coconut is a perfect combination! I think I need to make this and another batch of cornbread and dip my cornbread in it :)

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  2. Your photos always look amazing and I'm sure your food tastes that way too! I have never has soup in a shot glass, what an awesome idea. Getting cold here now, ready for soup....get ready for hot weather in Australia, Archana!!

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  3. I love coconut milk in things all and sundry! The soup sounds indeed perfect for the NYC weather.

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  4. This looks SO good and is perfect for the chilly temps we are having. Still, I love this weather! I wish it could stay like this all winter.

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  5. I so like the flavor of this soup! Really great recipe, and lovely photos - thanks.

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  6. I made some tomato soup too -- perfect for the current weather :)

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  7. That soup sure looks creamy, and adding coconut milk is such a great idea-- the sweetness of the coconut would be a perfect complement to the tangy tomato. Love it!

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  8. Wow!
    So perfect and inviting for this weather.

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  9. awesome and my favourite of all soups ok third favourite, pumpkin, carrot then tomato!

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  10. A cup of soup looks so good right along with a grilled cheese sandwich, it really is the perfect fall lunch. Love tomato soup... looks wonderful, love the addition of coco milk.

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  11. this looks nice and creamy, love It!

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  12. this is exactly the kind of recipe i need to keep me warm. i shouldnt really complain Dallas winter with you but again we are spoiled with 80F most year long :P

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  13. Ohh your tomato soup looks so good! It's a great idea to use coconut milk instead of heavy whipping cream, and I must try that next time. Love the spices too. Simply looks delicious!

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  14. looks delicious.. tomato soup can really warm up the heart when it's so cold out. Love this and not with a ton of cream and oil

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  15. I don't know how I keep missing posts, I'm not getting any updates:(..

    But anyways, this soup does looks so comforting and a perfect cold weather food. LOVE it, the picture is so pretty.

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  16. I LOVE tomato soup! Eating a bowl of it with grilled cheese is one of my favorite food combos ever.

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