“Veggies in Tomato Soup” … hot spicy soups are a delight to sip on when its raining heavily or when there is chill in the air … a warm soup for dinner with lots of veggies in them not only keeps the tummy full but warm and cozy too … Yummilicious …
** It’s been raining heavily for a few days now, however the chill in air came out only for the past two days making one want to drink something spicy and hot to beat them away. Usually its soup all the way for dinner during monsoon and winter when its cold out there, but this whole month from the day the rains arrived in full style I could not prepare them due to health reasons. When its cold the bones always wake up to show they are still there and it becomes difficult to cope up with regular activities added to the agony is the pandemic which is still ongoing with no end seen nearby. So the work load never seems to end, making it that much more difficult for all not to mention those with bone issues.
** Lots of Corn have arrived in the market and we have been having them regularly either by simple roasting on open flame or adding them to curry or just microwaving them. It is always a delight to munch on the crunch of the fresh corn and my hubby simply loves them. I know he ha been wanting to have soups so finally decided to prepare some. As mentioned many times I always end up finding fresh veggies on my way back from my official outdoor work and I always stop by to buy some. I was very happy to get beautiful ripe tomatoes and corn at a very cheap rate than in city, so my decision to prepare the soup got stronger. Well bought them and prepared them into a delicious soup with lots of veggies in them.
** Here is my simple recipe for “Veggies in Tomato Soup” … my style …
** Wash and cut into pieces about 1 kg of fully ripe tomatoes and put them in a pressure cooker with about 2 cups of water. Add in 1 inch of ginger piece cut into pieces which is optional, if you do not like, you may leave it out. Pressure cook on medium heat to two whistles and keep aside to cool down and for the pressure to fall on its own.
** Note : You can add a few cloves of peeled garlic and 1/2 tsp of pepper corns too if desired. I have not added as I prefer to serve hot soup topped with a dash of coarsely crushed pepper. Garlic, I avoided as it is shravana masa otherwise I do add them.
** Remove the corn from cobs (jolu/ makkai) gently and collect in a vessel, wash and drain well, I have used about 3 cups of corn kernels for this soup. Again it depends on individual liking. I have used fresh corn kernels here which are available in plenty now, you do get them also packed and ready for using and you can use the same too.
** Wash, wipe dry 2 large sized green capsicum (donne mirsanga/ simla mirchi) and cut them into 1 inch sized cubes and keep them aside ready. Also string the french beans (beans) and cut them into 1 inch sized pieces giving slant cuts, in all I have used about 1 cup of pieces. Peel off the skin of 2 large sized carrots (gajjar) and cut them also into 1 inch sized cubes, wash, drain and keep them also ready aside.
** When the pressure cooked tomatoes have cooled down completely put them into a mixer grinder and grind to a smooth paste. Remove and strain through a medium size holed sieve into a vessel. If you find the texture of the soup, too thick in consistency you can add 1-2 cups of water mix well and bring it to the required consistency.
** The thickness of the soup depends upon individual preference. I do not like adding much of any thickening agents like cornflour etc. to thicken soup, hence I prefer to keep the consistency thicker by adding less of water, also you can always add on later while serving the soup as is required as most of the time on resting the soup does thicken a bit.
** Add 1 tsp of sambar powder, ¼ tsp of kashmiri chilly powder and kala namak/ salt to taste to soup and bring to boil. When it comes to a rolling boil, lower the heat and let it simmer for a few minutes. Add in carrot, corn, french beans prepared and kept aside and once again raise the heat and bring to boil, then lower and let cook till 50% done.
** Note : Addition of Sambar Powder is a matter of choice and you can add any spice powder of your choice. But do give it a try once, it tastes wonderful, however, avoid adding the same in excess, ad it then loses taste, to increase spice level add on chilly powder only.
** Now add in the cut capsicum pieces mix well and continue to cook till all veggies added are cooked to 80% only. Capsicum is added later as it takes lesser time to cook while the rest take almost the same time to cook, so be careful in addition of any veggies of your choice to the soup and see to it that the cooking time if differs is taken into consideration.
** “Veggies in Tomato Soup” is done and ready to be served. Serve them piping hot in bowl with liberally added on coarsely crushed pepper powder which enhances the taste of the soup. You can also add in some grated cheese or a blob of fresh homemade butter to the soup while serving. I do at times as I love the flavor and taste of the butter in soups.
** Children love to have them with some toasted bread slices or bread sticks or croutons. Croutons are fried bread one square pieces of bread topped on soups just before serving. You can check out the method of preparing on link given at the bottom of the recipe.
** You can also serve them with just slices or bread or Mumbai Pav which also tastes great and is great way to have a simple dinner off. The choices are plenty and it is again a matter of individual choice of yours and you may serve them with anything that appeals to you.
** Soups are always healthy and must be included into your diet at least a few times in a week. Children are always fussy and reluctant to eat veggies, this way they will eat them without a murmur and you too will have the satisfaction of having served them veggies.
** Also, it is much healthier to have soups in place of tea or coffee especially with the younger children. You can add in any other veggies of your choice too to the soup, like cauliflower, green peas etc. Just keep the cooking time into note while adding them on.
** Sharing a common link to all the “Soup” recipes in the blog below, do check them out in liesure and try them out. They are all healthy and tasty too ….
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Thanks.