comfort essentials: piquant tomato soup

How To Make comfort essentials: piquant tomato soup

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  Step 1
  PREP/PREPARE
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  Step 2
  What will you need? This is a one-pot recipe. So, you will need is a good soup pot with a lid. If you have a heavy-bottomed Dutch oven, like Le Creuset, now it the time to pull that bad boy out. In addition to the pot, you will need an immersion blender, or a regular blender.
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  Step 3
  What to serve with it? You can serve all kinds of yummy things with soup, or you can just serve it all by its lonesome. Depending on the soup, you could have some crusty bread, or crackers on the side, or maybe a bowl with grated cheese. Soup and salad are always a good matchup. Whatever floats your boat.
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  Step 4
  How to store it? Properly stored in the fridge this soup should last 5 – 7 days, or frozen for several months.
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  Step 5
  Stock versus Broth If you read my recipes, you know that I prefer stocks to broths; however, in this recipe I recommend chicken stock, or vegetable “broth.” So, why not vegetable stock? Well, the simple answer is that there is no such thing as vegetable stock. Stocks are made by long simmering bones (pork, beef, chicken, fish) in water and then adding the veggies at the end of the process. One the other hand, since vegetables do not contain any bones (bones contain collagen) it cannot be called a stock. I know that you can go to the grocer and find cans or boxes of what is labeled “Vegetable Stock,” but technically, it is not a stock… it is a broth. I hope that clears it up for everyone. Peace Out !!!
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  Step 6
  Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
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  Step 7
  Add the butter to a pot over medium heat and allow to melt.
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  Step 8
  While the butter is melting, rough chop the veggies.
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  Step 9
  Since this soup will be pureed, no need to be fancy, just give them a rough chop.
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  Step 10
  Add the veggies to the pot.
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  Step 11
  Stir until the veggies soften, but not brown, about 8 – 10 minutes.
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  Step 12
  Add all the base ingredients, and simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
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  Step 13
  Remove from heat, and use a stick blender, a food processor, or a blender, like a Vitamix, and blend until smooth.
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  Step 14
  Return to the pot and set the heat to low, to keep warm.
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  Step 15
  PLATE/PRESENT
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  Step 16
  Serve while nice and warm with some crusty bread, and maybe a dollop of sour cream. Enjoy.
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  Step 17
  Keep the faith, and keep cooking.
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  Step 18
  Namasté
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