Monday, 28 September 2020

Tomato Soup - 1 (Thermomix recipe)


At this time of year (Sept/Aug) we find we have a massive amount of tomatoes in the greenhouse. Apart from tomato sauces for pasta etc, I find a soup a perfect solution for excess tomatoes.

Ingredients:

  • 500 gms of peeled and deseeded ripe tomatoes (fresh) (cores removed)
  • 1/2 red/brown onion - peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 small carrot - peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1/2 stick of celery- cut into large pieces
  • 1 tbsp of olive oil
  • 1 tbsp of double concentrated tomato puree
  • 1 tsp of sugar (or 2 if tomatoes are not that sweet)
  • 1/2 tsp of salt
  • 1/4 tsp fresh gound black pepper
  • 1 tsp of vegetable bouillon stock (powdered)


Into the Thermomix, running speed 8, drop carrot, onion and celery - 10 secs. Add olive oil and cook speed 1 for 3 mins, 100 deg C. Add tomato puree, tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper and cook speed 3, 100 deg C for 10 mins.

I find the fresh tomatoes have plenty of water in them and so I suggest adding the powdered bouillon direct to the mixture.

Check the level of salt and sugar and add as required and then blitz the whole lot, speed 10 for 30 seconds.

Of course, there is no need to use a Thermomix - its just easier and quicker. You can do all of this in a pan and use a blender when cooked.

Serve with warm, buttered crusty bread......

Monday, 14 September 2020

Tomato Chutney

 Quite often I have chutneys that are far too rich and dark and really take too much flavour away from cheese - my favourite 'goto' snack. This recipe hits the spot exactly!


Ingredients:
  • Large onion (or red onion) - chopped
  • 800gms of tomatoes - chopped
  • 2 off eating apples - peeled, cored and chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic - crushed
  • 125g of light muscovado sugar
  • 1 tsp of ground ginger
  • 1/2 tsp of ground mixed spice
  • 1/4 tsp of ground cloves
  • 250ml of cider vinegar

In a pan put all of the ingredients in and stir well. Heat gently and bring to the boil and and simmer well for 1.5 to 2 hours, stirring occasionally. When the mixture reaches a thick stage (moist but not wet), spoon into sterlised jars and seal. Allow to cool. 
The chutney is best left for a week or so but if you can't wait......

Serve with crunchy cheddar and a crusty loaf.



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