There are some foods that we tend to feel are perfect for us – soul foods 🙂 Soups are soul food for many!

When all of us are home are down with flu and trying to recover, soup tends to be one of the most sought after dishes, especially when served with hot toast! Somehow, that taste of the same soup seems very different on normal days!

Today was one such day at home! Got myself to make some tomato soup and all of us felt great!

Ingredients

1 large yellow onion, 4 tomatoes – both chopped

Spices – 2 Bay leaves, 1 cinnamon stick, 2 nutmeg, basil leaves, pinch of turmeric, 1 tsp chilli powder, pinch of ground black pepper, pinch of nutmeg, 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste and salt to taste

1 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)

3 cups water

Procedure

1. Heat the oil in a deep pan
2. Add the bay leaves, cinnamon stick, nutmeg
3. Add the chopped onions and saute
4. Add the ginger-garlic paste
5. When onions are changing color, add the chopped tomatoes
6. Add the rest of the spices (except salt)
7. Add 1 cup of water and let it boil for 5-7 minutes
8. Puree using a hand blender
9. Add the rest of the water
10. Add the salt
11. Boil for another 10 minutes

Serve with freshly toasted bread

Perfect for a cold day, or when you are recovering from a flu!

Variations of the soup on normal days

1. Add 1/2 cup milk or whipping cream – Tastes Yum…
2. Saute chopped green or yellow peppers with the onions and then add the tomatoes – Tastes great!
3. Add chicken broth or vegetable broth instead of water! Tastes very different but really nice!
4. Add boiled rice, grated veggies, diced and roasted zucchini, corn and dilute the soup adding another 1-2 cups of water or chicken/vegetable broth. Tends to be a version of Garden vegetable soup!

If you have tried any other variations that have worked for you – share your tips in the comments below!