Keeping Warm With Tomato Soup

It's been pretty cold here in Texas and if it's cold in Texas it must be even colder everywhere else. One great way to keep cozy is to make soup. I love this tomato soup recipe and so does everyone else who has tried it. Once you make this you won't ever want tomato soup out of a can again! This recipe is a great one for Meatless Monday and can even be prepared vegan. Enjoy it with a grilled cheese, baguette, or a fresh salad.

Comforting Homemade Soup

Hearty Tomato Soup
Adapted from this recipe from Giada De Laurentiis

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons butter (if you want to make this vegan, use olive oil instead)
• 1 onion, peeled and roughly chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 or 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 15-ounce can cannellini (white) beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 28-ounce can whole tomatoes
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig of fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 

To make:

1. In a large soup pot, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic and cook until the vegetables are tender, about 4 minutes. Add the beans, tomatoes, broth, bay leaf, sprig of rosemary, and red pepper flakes. Break up the tomatoes a little using a wooden spoon.
2. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 30 minutes, covered.
3. Puree the soup in a blender in batches, being careful to remove and discard the bay leaf. Return the soup to the pot and keep warm over low heat. Season with salt and pepper.

SURPRISE!!

Burnt Orange Roses for Texas!

So here's a story... Last night I was shopping with my boyfriend at the mall.  I guess I should post about the adorable jacket I got at Nordstrom but I'll leave that for later.  Anyway after we were supposed to go get Italian at this BYOB down the street.  Instead he came up with some story about how we needed to go to my parent's house first to pick something up.  Umm OK!  As soon as we walked in all I hear is "SURPRISE!!" and I see all my friends and a big Bevo.  My friends and family threw me a surprise graduation party!  (I just finished my Master's in December from UT)  I was completely shocked and so excited- it ended up being a really fun night.

This was the second time I've been surprised with a party.  The first time was my 18th birthday.  If your friends and family can pull it off it makes up for all the little white lies that come with the territory.  The night was really fun and relaxed.  To me a good party has so much to do with guests!  My parents hosted and my mom had the good idea of serving soup and salad as a main course.  It was a really simple way to feed a group in a healthy, crowd-pleasing, low-fuss way.  She made two types of soups and kept them warm in crock pots until everyone was ready to eat.  One of the soups she served is a favorite of mine- Potato Cheese Chowder.   It's so good- a must try!  Surprise someone with this and you won't be sorry!

Hook 'em!  Friends at my party :-)

Mom’s Potato Cheese Soup

3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped

1 large carrot sliced

1 stalk celery, sliced

¼ c. onion chopped

1 cup chicken broth  (enough to cover veggies in pot)

Pepper

2 tbsp flour

1 cup milk

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1. In a large pot, combine vegetables, broth, and pepper.  Bring to a boil until potatoes are softened. 
2. Pour vegetable mixture into the blender and blend until smooth, return to pot.  (Or use an emersion blender if you have one!) 
3. In small bowl, gradually add flour to milk.  Add flour mixture to vegetables.  Mix well and let cook a couple of minutes.  Stir in cheese, melt.   Season to taste.  Let stand at least 2 minutes then serve.