Comfort Food in its simpliest form

Last night Mom and Dad came over for dinner and we had a simple meal of tomato soup and grilled cheese.  The soup was so easy to make and was warm, hearty, and healthy - the perfect thing for a cold and wet winter day.

Hearty Tomato Soup

serves 4-6

5 cloves of fresh garlic - roughly chopped

1 large yellow onion - diced

7 stalks of celery - diced

1 bag of fresh baby spinach

1 large can of whole tomatoes

1 large can of chopped tomatoes

2 cans of low sodium vegtable stock

1 tsp. oregeno

1 tsp. onion powder

1 T. honey

pinch of red chile flakes

grating of fresh nutmeg

3/4 cup half & half

salt and pepper to taste

In a large stockpot add enough olive oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pot, add your garlic, onion, and celery along with a generous pinch of salt and freshly cracked black pepper.  On medium heat cook the vegtables till they soften and start to look translucent.

Add your bag of fresh spinach to the pot and allow to wilt.  Now add your two cans of tomatoes and vegtable stock - stir to incorporate the onion, garlic, spinach and celery.

Time to add your oregeno, chili flakes, onion powder and honey.  Turn heat down to low and allow to simmer for at least 30 minutes and up to 4 hours.

Before you serve blend the soup until it is almost smooth - just enough to incorporate the whole tomatoes, spinach, and veggies.

Right before you are ready to serve add some freshly ground nutmeg - about 1 tsp. and the half and half. 

Enjoy!