Good evening, friends! I hope your day has gone well!
I did some grading this afternoon for my online class. As I graded, I listened to an interview with raw chef Kristen Suzanne. It was really interesting to hear how moving to a high raw diet changed her health (for the better, obviously). The raw food movement is one that I find really interesting…maybe a future challenge is in order? I think I’d have to wait until the summer months—the whole raw food thing is NOT appealing to me in this winter weather.
And on that note…dinner was warm, comforting, and delicious!
Rustic Tomato Basil Soup
Ingredients
1 tbsp. olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1 tbsp. dry sweet basil
salt and pepper, to taste
2 cans (1 pound, 12 oz.) whole tomatoes (with basil, optional), undrained
1/3 cup non-dairy cream
fresh basil to garnish
Directions
In a heavy-bottomed pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and garlic and cook for 5-10 minutes. Add carrot and cook for another 10-15 minutes. Add basil and salt and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, then add tomatoes plus all their juices.
With a wooden spoon, begin to break the tomatoes up a bit (no need to break them up completely, as you’ll be blending the soup smooth). Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat and cook for 30-40 minutes.
Once soup is cooked, blend smooth. You can do this in a blender in a few separate batches, or with a submerging blender. In addition, you can blend the soup completely smooth, or leave it a little chunky.
Once you’ve reached the desired consistency, remove the soup from heat and stir in the cream.
Garnish with fresh basil.
Pics:
Broken up and bubbling away:
Blended:
Cream going in:
Yum, yum!
As we waited for the soup to cook, I snacked on some Food Should Taste Good “everything” chips and a wasa cracker:
Some wine was also enjoyed:
The non-dairy (non-soy) creamer we used it the Mimic brand, and is made from almonds and cashews:
It was really thick—just that third of a cup made the soup super (souper?) creamy. I’m going to use it in my coffee tomorrow—I’ll let you know how it goes!
Finally, dinner was served:
Dinner was followed with pure goodness:
Ummm…this flavor is AWESOME!!! I thought it couldn’t get better than the cookie dough flavor, but this pb swirl topped it. Seriously—getcha some.
Our plans for tonight include Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (a favorite!) and early bed. Yep…we’re officially old!
Night, kids!
lpskins said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:24 am
I’m old too! Everyone else stayed out after dinner and I came home to watch Oprah and snooze. Lame! (I’m totally fine with it!) Night.
Anna said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:29 am
Is it the Alicia Silverstone episode? I just watched that one today! Let me know what you thought of it!
kilax said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:28 am
We keep talking about trying a raw diet, but sadly, I have no interest in it. Maybe some day!
I need to look out for that PB ice cream! Yummy!
theprocessofhealing said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:46 am
That soup sounds incredible!!!!
And I agree about the raw diet.. so much more appealing in the summer!
And i’m so old before my time. Honestly, I”d rather be home than go out most of the time. And i’m only 21. How sad is that.. ah well.
megan said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:51 am
I’m with you – in this weather, all i want is something hot for dinner! Your soup looks great
Erin said,
January 30, 2010 @ 3:13 am
Oh my gosh, I need this soup in my life STAT.
Gabriela said,
January 30, 2010 @ 3:23 am
I am always so amazed by your gorgeous meals! That soup looks incredible…you’re definitely giving Amy’s Organics a run for her money!
Sophie said,
January 30, 2010 @ 3:47 am
Your dinner looks beautiful! Its making me hungry =) I have recently become more interested in the raw food diet as well…I’m thinking of doing a “raw until dinner” challenge if you are interested!
Anna said,
January 31, 2010 @ 1:15 am
Definitely!!! Let me know if you decide to do it and I’ll try to join in!
Madeline - Greens and Jeans said,
January 30, 2010 @ 4:02 am
You have my drooling over that ice cream!
Karla said,
January 30, 2010 @ 4:12 am
Chocolate PB swirl!! That sounds divine!!
I haven’t seen that flavor around!
I’m a grandma too! My friends are all out at a bar (I was invited) and chose to stay in. I’m a party pooper but I’m sleepy! Goodnight!
Ameena said,
January 30, 2010 @ 5:02 am
The soup looks SO delicious…better than the ice cream if you ask me!! Great photos as always. I could use a few lessons.
Patti said,
January 30, 2010 @ 5:45 am
I have been wanting to try a soup like this – thanks for the recipe and pictures. It would give me a chance to try my new immersion blender. I liked seeing the bird on your table recently – he looks at home in PA. Enjoy your weekend.
Simply Life said,
January 30, 2010 @ 12:11 pm
Oh that soup looks delicious!
ginamastrog said,
January 30, 2010 @ 1:39 pm
Perfect dinner for winter.
I did the raw thing for a while, and it ended up not being for me. I think maybe at a different point in my life when I can take more responsibility for making sure I get all the nutrients I need, maybe I’ll revisit again because you’re right, it does sound really cool!
Heather (Where's the Beach) said,
January 30, 2010 @ 2:45 pm
Oh that looks sooooo good. Yum. I could have used a big bowl of soup last night. We actually did get ice. Brrrr.
Heather said,
January 30, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
I love tomato basil soup!! I think the cream might have been the missing magical ingredient in mine last time I made it..
Christine said,
January 30, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
I started getting into raw in July and it was much easier when we were dealing with triple digit heat!
The dehydrator and warming up soups slightly in the Vita-Mix has really helped me on cold winter evenings though. I have a recipe for raw tomato basil soup I do in the Vita-Mix that I absolutely love.
I hear ya on the old thing, we crashed early last night too after a stressful, late work day for him and me wanting to get an early start for the raw fair today.
Nicole said,
January 30, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
I want to see that movie! The Rustic Tomato Basil Soup looks wonderful!!!!!!!!! So fresh! I love tomato and basil anything together! Have a great weekend!
Kelly said,
January 30, 2010 @ 4:40 pm
Um yeah…I want you dinner in my belly now! Looks so good!!!!
Evan Thomas said,
January 30, 2010 @ 6:49 pm
As a kid I had wayyyyyy too many bowls of chocolate peanut butter ice cream. I stopped eating it and got to a reasonable weight. now that I’m a runner, I think it needs to be reinvited into my life
daintyvegan said,
January 30, 2010 @ 9:01 pm
That ice cream looks soooooooo amazing! I don’t think I’ve ever seen it anywhere around here which is very unfortunate.
If you’re ever interested in doing a raw challenge then I would love to join you.
I’ve gone raw for 10 days twice and really enjoyed both experiences!