TOMATO BASIL SOUP WITH OVEN-ROASTED WALNUTS AND AN AWARD













TOMATO BASIL SOUP WITH OVEN-ROASTED WALNUTS AND AN AWARD
The weather was pretty chilly for the past few days for us in Virginia. Yesterday we had some snow. It was such a glorious sight and I was in a lazy mood the whole day watching the snow. It was not a day for hitting the gym, rather I was in the mood for something piping hot and crunchy. Tomato basil soup sounded so wonderful but I did not have any fresh basil in the fridge yet brave me went right ahead to make the soup with dried basil. I know people won’t agree with dried basil in tomato basil soup where basil is the main ingredient still this soup tasted good for a quicker version. It was almost as tasty as the ones with fresh basil. I combined it with some oven-roasted walnuts. These were real good too perfect for the cold. The nuts were still warm from the oven when I had it. They were so yummy that I finished almost a half a cup of nuts. I clicked a view of the lawn from our window while having this.

TOMATO BASIL SOUP

INGREDIENTS:
Canned tomatoes, 1 can.
Red onion, medium-sized, 1.
Garlic, 2 cloves.
Olive oil.
Salt and pepper as per taste.
Chili powder (optional), ¼ teaspoon.
Basil leaves (1 bunch if fresh ones are used, 2 teaspoons if dried basil is used).
Grated parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons.
Any broth like chicken or vegetable broth, 2 cups.

PREPARATION:
Dice the onions and crush the garlic cloves coarsely. Heat a pot with some olive oil and when the oil is hot enough, add the diced onions and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until the onion is well caramelized. Switch off the stove and let it cool. Pour the contents of the canned tomatoes to a blender and add the sautéed onions to this mixture and blend everything to a smooth paste. If fresh basil is used, half of it can be added while blending and the remaining half can be torn and added to the soup while serving. Pour the blended mixture to the pot and add salt, pepper chili powder, dried basil leaves if they are used along with 2 cups of broth and 2 cups of water. Let it simmer for 15 minutes and stir in the parmesan cheese. Ladle the soups into serving bowls and serve hot with any crusty bread.

OVEN-ROASTED WALNUTS
INGREDIENTS:
Walnuts, 2 cups.
Paprika, 1 tablespoon.
Salt, ½ teaspoon.
Canola oil, ½ teaspoon.
Garlic powder (optional), ¼ teaspoon.

PREPARATION:
Put the walnuts in a bowl. Add in the spices along with salt and oil and mix everything well until each of the walnut is well coated with the spices. Transfer the nuts to a baking dish and bake at 300 degrees for 10 minutes and let it cool and enjoy.

21 comments:

Devasena Hariharan said...

Thanks a lot dear for the award! Since u have magnanimously giving to people who read your blog patiently. I'm taking it:-)

anudivya said...

Basil is such a fragrant herb and I just love it in some dishes. Congrats on ur award.

Vijitha said...

Congrats on ur award gita! the soup looks so yummy
n roasted walnut (hmmm that makes me worry abou my waistline) lolzzzz. Lovely clicks!

Anonymous said...

congrats ..and get many more dear..basil soup looks awesome too

Shama Nagarajan said...

Congrats on ur award.........delicious soup

Priya Suresh said...

Tomato basil soup looks simply delicious Gita...Congrats on ur awards...

Raks said...

Perfect soup for the climate there...Sounds Awesome!

lubnakarim06 said...

Congratulations on the award dear. Soup looks warm and comforting. Wall nut looks yummy. If you are intrested you can send the soup to No Croutons Required (http://foodandspice.blogspot.com/2008/12/no-croutons-required-vegetable-soups.html) Click on the link for details.

Jaishree Iyer said...

The soup looks so yummy gita.Congrats on ur awards...

FH said...

Snow looks beautiful, we had some snow at last here y'day and it's all gone now! :)

Walnuts in soup sounds great! Enjoy your award as well.

AnuSriram said...

Thats so comforting! Nice winter treat!

Vikis Kitchen said...

Basil soup tastes great with any soup. That too ur tomato soup with basil looks yummy.

Usha said...

Tomato basil soup sounds perfect for a cold wintry day...congrats on your award !

Cham said...

Love the snow flurries in ur pictu... Soup is great way to keep warm and cozy, Congrats on ur award!

Mahimaa's kitchen said...

u make such yummy soups.. very healthy and looks great Gita. after seeing ur bean soup, i made it and it was filling and delicious. :)

Nithya Praveen said...

hey Gita....congrats on the award.Oven roasted walnuts is sumtng that i enjoy eating...looks great.

Nithya Praveen said...

And not to forgot...am taking ur award too. My first award here...n thanks to u!

Shreya said...

Congratulations! lovely soup! Love the idea of roasting walnuts in the oven, will have to try..

Seena said...

I love basil soup! :)

Astra Libris said...

Ooooh, your tomato basil soup sounds heavenly! I love the idea of adding roasted walnuts - such a brilliant garnish!

Congratulations on the very well deserved award! :-)

Laavanya said...

Tomato soup is my favorite. The roasted walnuts sounds like a lovely way to enjoy these. Congrats on your award.